Premature Rupture of

Membrane
M A X I M A V ER A P I N A L G A N , MD
labor is induced soon after admission when ruptured membranes are
confirmed at term

lower rates of chorioamnionitis, metritis, and neonatal intensive care

unit admissions for women with term ruptured membranes whose
labors were induced compared with those managed expectantly.
Rupture of the membranes is significant for three reasons.
1. if the presenting part is not fixed in the pelvis,
the umbilical cord can prolapse and be compressed
2. labor is likely to begin soon if the pregnancy is at or near term
3. if delivery is delayed after membrane rupture, intrauterine and
neonatal infection is more likely as the time interval increases
 Diagnosis
• amnionic fluid pools in the posterior fornix or clear fluid lows
from the cervical canal
• pH determination of vaginal fluid
• indicator nitrazine to identify ruptured membranes is a simple
and fairly reliable method.
• amnionic fluid include arborization or ferning of vaginal fluid,
• specific amnionic fluid protein s can be sought using point-of-
care assays