Does artificial breaking of amniotic fluid hurt?

When a pregnant woman is giving birth in the late stage of pregnancy, if the amniotic fluid does not break on its own, then the amniotic fluid can be broken artificially. Generally speaking, pregnant women will not feel pain when the amniotic fluid breaks. Breaking the amniotic fluid can speed up the delivery process. During this period, pregnant women should maintain a good attitude, not be too nervous, and wait for the baby to come. Let's take a look at this aspect.

Does artificial breaking of amniotic fluid hurt?

Artificial water breaking is painless. Artificial rupture of membranes can be used to stimulate labor or speed up delivery. Generally speaking, when the cervix is ​​fully dilated, the severe labor pain causes the amniotic membrane to rupture spontaneously, which is called spontaneous rupture of membranes. If the fetal membrane is too tough, it may not rupture spontaneously. At this time, it is necessary to use tweezers or hemostatic forceps to artificially rupture the membrane to allow the amniotic fluid to flow out. This is artificial rupture of membranes.

Once the water breaks, the fetal head or presenting part will be close to the cervix, which can help dilate the cervix and stimulate the contraction of the uterus. Medical staff will check the color and concentration of the amniotic fluid to assess whether the fetus is well. If an internal monitor is to be used for examination, the amniotic fluid bag must be broken. If the fetal membrane is not ruptured, the outflow of amniotic fluid will be delayed, which will cause the placenta connected to the fetal membrane to detach, causing heavy bleeding. Artificial rupture of membranes can avoid this danger, and there is no pain at all. In most cases, it is done before the mother even notices it.

If the labor is proceeding normally, the ideal situation is to keep the amniotic fluid bag intact as much as possible before delivery, as it acts like a protective cushion for the fetal head. But sometimes even if the water breaks, labor does not necessarily begin. If the water has broken, medical staff usually hope to arrange delivery within 24 hours, because breaking the water will increase the risk of infection to the mother and fetus, as well as the discomfort of uterine contractions.

The process of artificial water breaking

During artificial water breaking, the mother is generally required to lie flat. The midwife will help you to the delivery bed and remove the lower part of the bed so that your buttocks are just at the edge of the bed. Bend your legs and relax. Take this pose. The doctor can most easily touch the vagina and cervix of the parturient.

Your doctor will create a hole in the amniotic sac by gently inserting a sterile, specialized instrument called an amniotic hook, which resembles a plastic crochet hook, into your vagina. This process will not make the mother feel pain, but it is a bit uncomfortable, similar to internal examination. When the warm amniotic fluid flows out, the nurse will first place a delivery pad underneath it to facilitate absorption. The mother may feel relieved. Generally, this procedure is about as painful as a vaginal exam. Once the amniotic sac is torn, the amniotic fluid will flow out and then flow into the bucket placed under the bed. Most expectant mothers find this process uncomfortable but not painful. Usually after the operation, they are happy to be able to stand up again.

After artificially breaking the water, the midwife will use a fetal Doppler stethoscope or an old-fashioned fetal stethoscope to carefully check the baby's heartbeat to ensure that the baby does not feel stressed after the water breaks.