Early premature rupture of membranes occurs when a pregnant woman’s amniotic sac ruptures many weeks before reaching the normal due date.
If this happens very early, before the end of the 22nd week of pregnancy, most of the pregnant women affected decide to terminate the pregnancy on the advice of their gynecologists. These recommendations are based on the one hand on the excessive concern about the sudden onset of a serious infection (chorioamnionitis) or heavy bleeding due to detachment of the placenta (placental abruption).
In fact, severe maternal infections are rather rare, as the pregnant woman goes into labor immediately when the amniotic sac is infected, gives birth to the child, and then expels the infected tissue through the placenta and amniotic sac. Antibiotics may also be given to support the mother in this situation. A minor medical procedure to remove tissue remnants (curettage) may also be necessary. Bleeding associated with placental abruption usually announces itself and can usually be treated well in the hospital.
In addition to the risks of infection and premature birth, fetuses affected by a ruptured amniotic sac are at risk of impaired lung development.
This is another reason why termination of pregnancy is often recommended. However, our observations show that even after a rupture of the amniotic sac, the baby’s lungs can continue to develop almost normally if, as is often the case, small amounts of amniotic fluid are still present.
In our work with affected pregnant women, we have found that lung growth and maturation in unborn babies can be sufficient for postnatal survival, and that the chance of a child surviving an early rupture of the membranes before the 22nd week of pregnancy is around 30%. In the vast majority of cases, prenatal interventions are not even necessary.
As a result of increasing reports of positive outcomes on social media, more and more pregnant women are deciding to continue their pregnancies after early premature rupture of membranes.
At our center, we specialize in counseling, supporting, and caring for these pregnant women and providing prenatal and postnatal therapy for their children.
In most cases, weeks before admission to our hospital, which takes place in the 24th week of pregnancy, we are happy to advise affected pregnant women in detail by telephone about the chances and risks of membrane rupture. Even before admission, coaching is offered to strengthen affected pregnant women physically and psychologically.
Particular emphasis is placed on the links between the effects of stress and cortisone on susceptibility to infection, and between maternal stress hormones and muscle tension in the uterine wall, which exerts pressure on the child and influences lung development.
To counteract this, we discuss possible interventions to reduce stress and uterine wall tension, such as distraction and meditation. In addition, we recommend—and offer at our center—support from trained psychologists, as well as support from pastoral counselors, occupational therapists, music therapists, or physical therapists upon request.
During inpatient care, maternal safety is our top priority. Depending on the findings, antibiotic prophylaxis and regular checks of infection parameters in the blood are carried out.
If you have any further questions about the minimally invasive treatment of this prenatal condition, please contact us Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 0175/597-1213 or send us an email. If you only reach our answering machine, please leave your name and a phone number where we can call you back.
Unfortunately, some unborn children do develop life-threatening lung hypoplasia (underdeveloped lungs) as a result of oligohydramnios. In these cases, it is still possible to help with a minimally invasive procedure. This involves placing a tiny balloon in the child’s windpipe through a tube measuring just a few millimeters, without opening the mother’s abdomen or uterus. This rarely used method enables impressive catch-up growth of the child’s lungs within 7-10 days and a significant improvement in blood flow, greatly increasing the chances of survival: Of the 13 children treated with a tracheal balloon to date (as of September 2024), we have been able to successfully treat and save 12.
This fetoscopic closure of the infant’s windpipe in the womb to treat lung hypoplasia after early, premature rupture of the membranes has so far only been performed at the DZFT.
If you have any further questions about the minimally invasive treatment of this prenatal condition, please contact us Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on 0175/597-1213 or send us an email. If you only reach our answering machine, please leave your name and a telephone number where we can call you back.
In addition, we recommend that you contact patients who have previously been treated at our center and who can be reached through the BFVEK association (www.bfvek.de).
Patient comfort and safety are our top priorities
All prenatal tracheal balloon insertions in unborn babies with severe lung underdevelopment are performed at the DZFT from the 28th week of pregnancy in an operating room under short anesthesia with antibiotic prophylaxis.
Thanks to these measures, the technical success rate at our center is around 90%, even under the very difficult conditions of this situation. The stress caused by the procedure for both mother and child is also reduced to a minimum.
If you have any further questions about early premature rupture of the membranes or would like to obtain a second opinion, please contact the DZFT daily between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on 0175/597-1213 or send us an email.
If you only reach the answering machine, please leave your name and a phone number where we can call you back.
Please note: The content of our website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace personal consultation with us or other recognized medical specialists in this field. For all individual questions and decisions regarding your health and that of your child, we strongly recommend that you and your family members contact us, your doctor, and/or other experts in person.