The rupture of the membranes refers to the rupture of the amniotic sac and the associated discharge of amniotic fluid. It is often the first sign that the baby is about to be born.
What is the rupture of the membranes?
The rupture of the membranes refers to the rupture of the amniotic sac and the associated leakage of amniotic fluid. The rupture of the membranes occurs when the amniotic sac opens. This surrounds the unborn baby in the uterus like a protective shell, consisting of a thin egg skin and the amniotic fluid inside. During pregnancy, this construct protected the unborn child from pathogens and external influences that could have entered the uterus through sexual intercourse, for example. However, since the egg membrane of the amniotic sac lies above the cervix and thus also above the birth canal, it must rupture in order for the baby to be born. The actual rupture of the membranes occurs due to an interaction of hormonal triggers that control the entire birth, or sometimes already due to the increasing pressure of the uterus going through the first contractions. When the bubble bursts, the thin egg membrane first tears, and then the amniotic fluid inside it goes out. Through this process, the baby’s lungs begin to fill with air and prepare for their function. Therefore, after a rupture of the bladder, not too much time should pass before the onset of pushing contractions and the baby’s birth, otherwise he will be in danger.
Function and task
The amniotic fluid that comes off when the bladder ruptures has a function for the mother and baby only during pregnancy. The unborn baby discharges into the amniotic fluid the end products of its metabolism, which cannot be excreted anywhere else. At the same time, the amniotic fluid forms a dampening shell around the baby. Noises, but also shocks are at least somewhat cushioned by the amniotic fluid. When the birth begins and the pregnancy ends, the amniotic fluid has become superfluous and must be excreted. At the time of the rupture of the membranes, this happens in the easiest and quickest way: it empties through the vagina and allows the baby to develop its lung function, which of course does not yet need to be activated during pregnancy. At the same time, the rupture of the bubble is the first sign that birth will soon begin. The baby’s lungs fill with air immediately after the amniotic fluid has left the body during the rupture of the membranes, because from now on the baby has to breathe on its own. However, this means that the baby can only stay in the uterus for a short time, otherwise she would not get enough air. Shortly before or directly after her waters burst, many pregnant women feel the first contractions, which are still easy to bear. However, as these very soon become stronger, the journey to the hospital should be made when the bubble bursts. After the rupture of the membranes, it can either take a few more days until the birth or it can happen within a few hours in the form of a fall birth. So, when the bubble bursts, the pregnant woman must react in any case to have medical personnel ready in case of emergency when the pushing contractions start. The purpose of the rupture of the membranes is also to rupture the membranes that surround the baby. It is very thin and would tear on its own during birth, but this would also prevent the amniotic fluid from coming off in time. The egg skin must be excreted at birth along with the afterbirth, otherwise it will decompose in the uterus and lead to symptoms of poisoning – the rupture at the time of rupture of the membranes makes it ready to do so.
Diseases and ailments
Normally, rupture of the membranes is the initiation of birth. This does not mean that the baby will be born in the next hour already – unless it is a fall birth. Some women give birth very soon after the rupture of the membranes. Physically, this is unusual, but it is harmless. The risk is that the woman will not make it to the hospital in time in the case of a fall birth and will have to deliver her baby on the way there in a non-sterile environment without medical help. Danger to both mother and child exists if the amniotic fluid is neither clear nor slightly yellowish when it comes off during rupture of the membranes. Depending on the situation, it is not always possible to pay attention to the color of the amniotic fluid, especially since many women do not even have to recognize their rupture of the membranes as such. Therefore, the woman should pay attention to a greenish or brown color and a foul odor.These are absolute warning signals and indicate that something might be wrong with the unborn baby – it must be delivered as soon as possible. In many cases, a natural birth is still possible, but sometimes it has to be done via a cesarean section. Depending on how the rupture of the membranes took place, it is possible that not all of the egg skin was expelled at birth and postpartum. This can also happen with remnants of the placenta, although this is more likely to be noticed. Sometimes this does not have to end badly, because remnants of the egg skin can be excreted with the postpartum flow long after the rupture of the membranes. If it is noticed at all, it is just major shedding, but it is normal during the postpartum period. If a remnant of the egg skin remains in the uterus for too long after rupture of the membranes, it can become inflamed and cause symptoms of poisoning. Then the woman must return to the hospital again for a curettage and follow-up treatment.