One of the signs that warn us that delivery is near is what is popularly known as “breaking waters”. It usually happens spontaneously from week 37 of gestation, but in 10 percent of cases it can occur earlier. This complication is called premature rupture of the amniotic sac.
The main risk is preterm delivery, especially if it occurs before the baby is well formed, so we try to delay the moment as much as possible to avoid a great premature birth.
That was what happened to Lauren Middleton , from Leeds, West Yorkshire (UK) who went to the emergency room at St. James Hospital in Leeds (UK) at dawn in the 26th week of pregnancy because she had lost amniotic fluid.
But the doctors made the decision to postpone the birth so that the baby could continue growing, because they found it was too early. What is striking about this case is that they managed to delay delivery until the 35th week of pregnancy, ten weeks after their mother had broken her water. The two are already home.
A high-risk pregnancy
The mother comments in the British newspaper Daily Mail:
“I was so shocked, I really didn’t think my water was broken. I was very scared when I found out because I was still pregnant for a short time and my baby was very small ”.
The 24-year-old mother did not have to stay in the hospital either, once the doctors decided to go ahead with the pregnancy. In fact, after spending three days in hospital, she was sent home, although she had to go to check-ups twice a week.
Lauren thanks the nurses and doctors at the hospital for their attention because “I was constantly in and out of the hospital and, although having so many checkups is not normal, I knew they were vital for the baby”:
“I knew right away that my baby was in danger. It was an incredibly stressful situation because I was worried about the baby’s health all the time. “
Tests performed at 34 weeks showed that the mother was healthy and that the amniotic fluid had regenerated.
Doctors decided to prolong the pregnancy to 37 weeks, which is considered a full-term pregnancy, but just one week later, at week 35, the mother began having contractions at home and was rushed to the hospital. 21 hours later Archie was born, weighing 2,900 kilos.
An hour later, the newborn was admitted to neonatal intensive care after struggling to breathe. He was diagnosed with pneumonia and then sepsis.
Fortunately, the quick action of the doctors managed to stabilize the newborn. After giving him a course of antibiotics, the little boy was able to leave the hospital.
Archie is already at home, where his older sister, Ruby, 3, was waiting for him, who was looking forward to meeting him, according to his mother.
Lauren has posted many photos of the newborn on her Facebook account, like this one where they pose together.
Expert opinion
This is an exceptional case, given the time elapsed between the breakage of water and the delivery. To understand it better, we have asked the gynecologist Jackie Calleja to explain to Babies and More how it is possible:
“Whether or not to cause delivery after the rupture of the amniotic sac depends on many factors, among them and the most important, the gestational age of the baby. If it is between the 22nd and 25th week of pregnancy and is medically possible, it is sought keeping it in the maternal uterus through antibiotic treatment, frequent maternal tests, periodic monitoring of fetal well-being and the mother’s rest “.
According to the expert from the Bmum clinic, “the protocol speaks of prolonging the pregnancy until the 32nd week and, whenever possible, until the 34th week to prevent the baby from presenting maturation problems associated with large premature infants, such as the lungs or intestines.”
He has also confirmed that it is possible, as in the case of Lorena, that with adequate rest “enough amniotic fluid is regenerated to allow the baby to develop correctly.”
What is premature rupture of the membranes
This is known as the premature rupture of the membranes that form the amniotic sac in pregnant women less than 37 weeks.
The condition affects between 6% and 19% of term pregnancies and occurs in 2% of all pregnancies. It is associated with 40% of preterm births and high infant mortality.
The rupture involves the loss of the amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby inside the uterus , a vital element for its development, since it protects it from injuries, heat loss and contains the essential nutrients it needs for its proper growth.
When it occurs, most women go into spontaneous labor within 24 hours . Hence, if it occurs before full-term pregnancy, exceptional medical measures must be taken to preserve the health of the baby and its mother.
If it occurs, the woman must go immediately to the emergency room where she is usually hospitalized for at least 48 hours.
The two most important risks of this pregnancy complication , in addition to preterm delivery:
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It increases the risk of serious infection of the placental tissues (chorioamnionitis), which can be very dangerous for the mother and the baby.
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The possibility of placental abruption, compression of the umbilical cord, cesarean section and postpartum infection increases.
The causes that can cause it are not known, although there is talk of:
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Infection in the uterus
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Vaginal bleeding
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History of preterm labor
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Sexually transmitted infections
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Very exaggerated distention of the bursa (when there is an excess of fluid or in multiple pregnancies)
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External factors such as smoking
Via | Daily Mail
Photos | iStock
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