Clinical significance of prelabour rupture of the foetal membranes

ABSTRACT

The clinical aspects and complications associated with prelabour rupture of the membranes were investigated in forty patients a control group of thirty-four full term pregnant patients were selected; cases of both groups were of similar clinical presentation except for the time of rupture of the membranes primigravidity, toxaemia of pregnancy and cervical rigidity were more frequently encountered in the prelabour rupture group non-engagement of the presenting foetal head was found to predispose to prelabour rupture of the membranes only in primigravidae engagement and ripeness of the cervix shortened the latent period in the prelabour rupture group the duration of the three stages labour was not significantly different in the two groups prelabour rupture of the membranes was attended with a definite increase tn the incidence of operative interference, and was associated with an increased maternal and foetal risks