Premature Rupture Of Membranes: Leakage Of Water From The Amniotic Sac

Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) is the condition when the amniotic sac breaks down and the water surrounding your baby starts leaking.

This condition occurs either at the end of the pregnancy or earlier, well before your due date.

When it occurs near the end, i.e. after 37 weeks or term, then it is known as PROM.

However, it is still considered as preterm because the contractions have not begun. 10% of all pregnancies will be affected with PROM.

Before 37 weeks of gestation, this occurs in about 2% of pregnancies. This condition is called pre-term premature rupture of membranes (PPROM).
Main reasons for PROM

Usually, rupturing of the membranes near the end of pregnancy or term can be caused due to natural weakening of the membranes or from the force of contractions. Before the term, PROM happens due to an infection in your uterus. Some other conditions that lead to PROM include:

* Vaginal bleeding
* Low socioeconomic circumstances – Women under these conditions are less likely to get proper prenatal care
* Cigarette smoking during the pregnancy period
* Have had preterm birth in previous pregnancy
* Sexually transmitted diseases such as Gonorrhea and Chlamydia