What to do if the amniotic fluid breaks and the uterus does not open

1. What to do if your water breaks

1. Go to hospital immediately

Amniotic fluid is a barrier for the baby. If the amniotic fluid breaks, it can easily cause fetal hypoxia, umbilical cord prolapse, bacterial infection, etc. Therefore, as long as water breaks, regardless of whether the mother has reached the due date, whether the uterus has contractions, or whether the cervix is ​​open, she must rush to the hospital for treatment immediately. Even on the way to the hospital, you need to lie down with your hips elevated.

2. Fetal protection measures

If the water breaks before 36 weeks, depending on the conditions of the mother and the baby, the patient will usually be hospitalized for tocolysis and given antibiotics and tocolysis drugs. The prognosis is generally good, especially if the fetal weight exceeds 2000 grams, when there are almost no sequelae.

3. Take measures to stimulate the birth

If the amniotic fluid has been broken for more than 12 hours, antibiotics should be used to prevent infection. If the pregnancy is more than 36 weeks and the condition is good, a trial birth can be conducted and the doctor will take measures to induce labor. Use a drug that speeds up uterine contractions, helps the cervix to fully dilate, and promotes delivery.

4. Caesarean section if necessary

If the measures to induce labor are ineffective, a caesarean section should be performed to deliver the fetus in a timely manner. Because if you continue to wait, the amniotic fluid will continue to flow out, the nutrition of the fetus will not be guaranteed, and it may also cause problems such as fetal intrauterine hypoxia and intrauterine infection.

2. What to do if the amniotic fluid breaks and the uterus does not open:

Specific treatment methods:

1. After 36 weeks of pregnancy: If the gestational age is 38 weeks when the water breaks, it is considered a full-term pregnancy. However, if the membranes rupture early after 36 weeks, doctors tend not to perform tocolysis.

2. 32 to 36 weeks: If the water breaks during the 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy, depending on the conditions of the mother and the baby, the patient will usually be hospitalized for tocolysis and given antibiotics and tocolysis drugs. The prognosis is generally good, especially if the fetal weight exceeds 2,000 grams, and there are almost no sequelae.

3. Before 32 weeks: Early rupture of membranes before 32 weeks can easily lead to premature birth, and the development of the fetus will be greatly restricted due to the lack and loss of amniotic fluid. However, doctors will give steroids depending on the situation to allow the fetus's lungs to mature as quickly as possible and increase its chances of survival in premature babies.

4. If a pregnant woman’s previous pregnancy had early rupture of membranes before full term, it is known that it may increase the possibility of early rupture of membranes in the next pregnancy. Studies have shown that pregnant women who have experienced early rupture of membranes before term are indeed more likely to experience early rupture of membranes before term in their next pregnancy than pregnant women who have not experienced early rupture of membranes before term, about twice as high.

5. If there is cephalopelvic disproportion, effective uterine contractions will not be initiated. Twelve hours after water breaking, anti-infection drugs should be used. Now you must stay in bed and raise the end of the bed. Perform perineal irrigation correctly to avoid infection. At the same time, pay attention to any signs of infection, such as foul-smelling discharge, fever over 38°C, uterine tenderness, etc., and inform medical staff for diagnosis and treatment. If the pregnancy is full-term and the fetal head is floating high, surgical termination of pregnancy can be considered.