PROM - pre labour rupture of membranes

PROM - pre labour rupture of membranes. . Most women will find their waters break when they are already having contractions and in labour. Sometimes though it can happen totally out of the blue without any other signs whatsoever! . If you are under 37 weeks pregnant and you think your membranes have ruptured, call your care provider without delay and they will most likely advise you to go to the hospital for further care. . Around 1 in 10 womens waters will break before labour starts at full term. If you are over 37 weeks and this happens and there are no contractions, chances are they will start soon, usually within 12-24 hours or sooner. Sometimes contractions dont start on their own and an induction of labour is offered. When this is usually varies from hospital to hospital but is usually 24 hours after the membranes have ruptured. Antibiotics may need to be given to you in labour too if infection is suspected or high risk of. . So if you are full term and your membranes rupture without contractions, take a note of the colour and call your maternity unit. Depending on your current situation, colour of the water, baby movements etc. they may ask you to come in straight away or they may say give yourself a couple of hours to get your things together and even go for a short walk to see if labour starts before going in. In the UK, most low risk women at full term with PROM will return home after their initial visit to the hospital to await labour and then return the following day for induction if nothing happens. If you decide not to be induced after 24 hours, to allow more time to go into labour yourself, speak with your midwife who will discuss how to monitor yourself at home. Similarly if you would rather not wait 24 hours, discuss with your midwife or doctor.