Among them are women with gestational hypertension, vaginal bleeding during the second and third trimesters, premature labor during the current or a previous pregnancy, intrauterine growth retardation, incompetent cervix, placenta previa or premature rupture of membranes.
22.
The "'Mercer protocol "'is a common regimen for antibiotic prophylaxis in the context of preterm premature rupture of membranes ( PPROM ) during pregnancy, when immediate delivery is contraindicated due to known or suspected fetal lung immaturity.
23.
Because pH in the upper vagina is normally acidic ( pH 3.8-4.5 ), a vaginal pH test showing a pH of more than 4.5 strengthens a suspicion of rupture of membranes in case of clear vaginal discharge in pregnancy.
24.
This distinction could be partly explained by the " hidden mortality " associated with MC multifetal pregnancies instances lost due to premature rupture of membrane ( PROM ) or intrauterine fetal demise before a thorough diagnosis of TTTS can be made.
25.
Neonatal infection may also be associated with premature rupture of membranes ( breakage of the amniotic sac ) which substantially increases the risk of neonatal sepsis by allowing passage for bacteria to enter the womb prior to the birth of the infant.
26.
Colonization with GBS during labour is the primary risk factor for the development of GBS-EOD . GBS-EOD is acquired vertically ( vertical transmission ), through exposure of the fetus or the baby to GBS from the vagina of a colonized woman, either " in utero " ( because of ascending infection ) or during birth, after rupture of membranes.
27.
A co-author, Dr . Vern Katz, an obstetrician now specializing in maternal-fetal medicine at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene, Ore ., said, " We are finding more and more that the chemicals released in response to infection can lead to changes in the timing of birth and to premature rupture of membranes, " precipitating preterm labor and delivery.
