Generality
When we talk about the breaking of the waters, we want to indicate one of the characteristic symptoms of labor. More precisely, this symptom manifests itself at the end of pregnancy and represents a clear signal of the imminent birth.
Features
As it is easy to understand, the rupture of the water is accompanied by the leakage of the amniotic fluid previously contained in the sac of the same name.
The liquid that comes out when the water breaks is a colorless, odorless and hot liquid. These characteristics make it possible to differentiate it from vaginal discharge (more viscous and whitish in color) and from involuntary loss of urine (acrid odor), which are especially typical of the final period of pregnancy.
The liquid, however, does not always come out in large quantities, such as to allow the woman to recognize with certainty the rupture of the water. In fact, in some cases, the amniotic sac may not break completely, giving rise to small and discontinuous leaks. and this could confuse the pregnant woman's ideas. For this reason, in case of doubt and / or if there should be leaks of liquid of uncertain origin at the end of pregnancy, it is always good to contact your gynecologist immediately or go to the hospital, where made a correct diagnosis.
Associated Symptoms
The rupture of the water usually occurs at the beginning of labor and is associated with other symptoms, such as uterine contractions. These contractions are characterized by pain that becomes more intense and occurs continuously, at regular intervals. which tend to shorten as the time of delivery approaches.
However, in some cases, it can also happen that the waters break before the onset of contractions and this could cause some problems.
The rupture of the water without the presence of uterine contractions, in fact, can expose both the mother and the fetus to an increased risk of contracting infections. Normally, the amniotic sac is devoid of pathogenic or potentially pathogenic microorganisms, while these are present in the genital, urinary and rectal level. The breaking of the waters without contractions, could cause these pathogens to come into contact with the amniotic fluid and the fetus, thus exposing it to potential risks.
In these cases, if the pregnant woman has reached the end of her pregnancy, usually she intervenes with hospitalization and with the observation of both the mother and the fetus. If the uterine contractions do not appear in the next 24 hours, then they will be artificially induced in the hospital through the administration of appropriate drugs, or through other methods that the doctor deems most appropriate for each case.
Premature rupture of the waters
In some cases, the rupture of the waters can occur well in advance of the expected date of the term of the pregnancy. In these situations, therefore, we speak of premature rupture of the waters, or preterm amnioressi.
In addition to the potential risk of contracting infections for both the fetus and the mother, in case of rupture of the preterm waters, there is the risk of a premature birth, with all the consequences that can ensue.
In these cases, therefore, it is essential to immediately contact your gynecologist and go to the hospital, where all possible measures will be taken to safeguard the safety of both the fetus and the mother.
Induction of water breakdown
Sometimes, there may be a need to artificially induce water breaking. In the medical field, in these cases, we speak of iatrogenic amniorexes.
The delicate procedure that involves the artificial rupture of the water is called amniotomy and must be performed only and exclusively by a gynecologist or, possibly, by an obstetrician.
This surgical procedure basically consists in "making" an incision in the amniotic sac by using a special instrument. As soon as the membrane of the amniotic sac is incised, the water breaks down which, in turn, promotes the production The prostaglandins produced in this way stimulate uterine contractions and all this translates into an "acceleration of the timing of delivery.
The "amniotomy, however, must" be practiced only in restricted cases and only when it is really necessary, such as, for example, in the case in which labor is proceeding excessively slow, or in the case in which, in advanced labor, the water rupture has not yet occurred spontaneously.
In fact, this surgery is certainly not free from side effects; on the contrary, with this procedure there is an increased risk of contracting intrauterine infections, as well as the risk of causing variations in the heart rhythm of the fetus which, therefore, must be carefully monitored, both before and after the artificial induction of rupture of the waters.
