Home / How does childbirth proceed / Is a long anhydrous period dangerous for a child?
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- When does membrane rupture occur?
- The duration of the water-free period is normal
- What are the dangers of a long waterless period?
- How long can a fetus live during an anhydrous period?
- Examination in the anhydrous period
- Treatment during anhydrous period
- Useful video about the waterless period
The anhydrous period is one of the stages of childbirth. In the normal course of pregnancy, it occurs at the end of the first period. However, there are situations when the discharge of amniotic fluid begins much earlier than it should. A prolonged anhydrous period during childbirth can pose a threat to the health and life of both the child and the mother.
The term “anhydrous period” refers to the time period from the beginning of the rupture of amniotic fluid (immediately after rupture of the membranes) until the birth of the baby. A period is considered anhydrous, even if the amniotic fluid leaves in small portions through microcracks in the fetal bladder.
When my water breaks - how long before I give birth?
The breaking of water before labor means that the cervix is already slightly open, softened and ready for the birth process.
This period is favorable for the start of childbirth. However, doctors cannot answer exactly how long it will take for labor to begin. Normally, contractions accompany effusion, but in practice another option is possible. More often this happens in first-time mothers, when the amniotic fluid first drains, and after a while the first contractions appear. On average, they are observed after 3-4 hours. It is very important to monitor how pregnant women’s water breaks before giving birth and the duration of the water-free period - the time from the outpouring until the baby is born. Normally it should not exceed 12 hours
In practice, after the water has broken and there are no contractions after a few hours, doctors begin stimulating measures. A long anhydrous period negatively affects the process of delivery and the condition of the fetus.
How long after your water breaks do contractions begin?
Having figured out how water breaks during pregnancy, women are trying to find out when their baby will be born. After the water breaks, how long it takes for contractions to begin depends on the individual characteristics of the body. It has been established that in multiparous women, the anhydrous period lasts less, and contractions begin after 1-2 hours. There may be cases when the first regular contractions cause a violation of the integrity of the amniotic sac. As they intensify, the cervix dilates, after which the second stage of labor begins - expulsion of the fetus.
Can contractions begin without my water breaking?
Contractions without water breaking are possible. This phenomenon is a variant of the norm, fully consistent with the mechanism of childbirth. As a result of intense contractions of the uterine myometrium, the cervix dilates. In this place, the integrity of the fetal bladder is disrupted due to increasing intrauterine pressure. After the amniotic fluid is poured out and the cervix is fully dilated, the process of moving the fetus along the birth canal begins.
The waters have broken, but there are no contractions - what to do?
Often, primiparous women are faced with a situation before giving birth in which the waters have broken and contractions are not observed. With such a development of events, doctors advise not to wait for their appearance while at home, but to go to the maternity hospital
In this case, it is important to record the time of discharge of the amniotic fluid and inform it to the doctors upon arrival at the medical facility. In the maternity hospital, doctors examine the pregnant woman and, if necessary, begin stimulating the labor process.
The plug is already coming out, how long does it take for labor to begin?
Pregnant women are looking forward to their babies, so they study the harbingers of labor in advance. These include: prolapse of the abdomen, contractions, passage of the plug and water, frequent urge to go to the toilet. Pregnant women are most concerned about the release of mucus, so we will consider 3 points: 1) what a plug is; 2) how it comes out; 3) if the plug comes out, how long does it take for labor to begin.
What is a cork?
Many pregnant women say that they did not have a plug, but this is not entirely true. A plug is a lump of mucus that thickens under the action of the cervix and closes the entrance to the uterus. Since this thick mucus performs a protective occluding function, it is nicknamed cork. Thanks to this clot, no infection can reach the child.
Typically, mucus is clear, beige, yellowish, or reddish in color. The plug may come out as a whole lump or come out in stages as a viscous liquid. If the color of the mucus is similar to the menstrual flow of the last few days, then do not panic, since the reddish tint is formed due to the bursting of small capillaries. If severe bleeding occurs, it is better to consult an obstetrician.
How does the plug come out?
Every pregnant woman has a protective clot, but the plug comes out differently for everyone. How long after labor begins after her birth is also individual. For some pregnant women, the plug comes out with a lingering, unpleasant, painful sensation, while for others it can come out painlessly while taking a shower, in the toilet, at the gynecologist’s office, or before the birth itself.
As soon as childbirth approaches, a new hormone appears in the female body, which softens the birth canal. In connection with this process, the plug flies out, and the cervix begins to open and prepare for the birth of the child. This process can take several weeks, days or hours, depending on the woman’s physical fitness, the number of births she has had and the baby’s readiness for birth.
And one moment. Most pregnant women on forums ask the question: The plug has come off, how can I speed up labor? , believing that a child will appear immediately after the mucus secretion. Be prudent, if the plug has come off and the cervix has not opened, then stimulation of labor will cause the water to break, as a result of which the baby will suffer, and the mother’s life may be in danger.
If the plug has already come out, how long does it take for labor to begin?
A clot of mucus may come out a month, 2 weeks, several days or hours before delivery. This is an individual process. Some pregnant women can go a month without a plug, while others, after the mucus has drained, give birth to a baby 6 hours later. Therefore, as soon as you feel that some discharge has come out of the vagina, go to your gynecologist.
But don't panic if the plug comes off right away. Look at other factors:
- what color is the discharge?
- whether the stomach has dropped;
- are there any contractions?
- whether the urge to go to the toilet has become more frequent.
If a pregnant woman has a drooping stomach, systematic pain in the lower abdomen, often has a strong pull to go to the toilet, the plug comes off, how long will it take to give birth in this case? The first labor may begin within a day, and repeated labor may begin within a few hours. In any case, you need to immediately call an ambulance. If the situation is not critical, then you can go for a consultation with a gynecologist as usual.
Please note that removing the plug requires special hygiene, as the child is susceptible to germs. This is especially true for the intimate life of spouses and swimming in open reservoirs and pools.
In any case, first consult with your doctor about how to protect your baby from viruses when the plug comes out. How long does it take for labor to begin after mucus is released - this will be a secondary question.
So. Blister rupture can happen in different ways
1. The integrity is broken below, where the cervix and the baby’s head are, usually in this case about half a glass of water is poured out, because of this the head drops lower, and it can be compared to a stopper that was used to plug a bathtub so that the water does not leak out. Let's call this option the departure of the anterior (that is, located between the baby's head and the woman's cervix) waters. You need to know that on top of the abdomen, where the baby’s belly and arms are, there remains a fair amount of water, the so-called back ones, that is, as a rule, they do not flow out completely, there is a lot of them left. And you need to know that every three to four hours new portions of water are produced by the mother’s body. If a woman changes her body position a lot (stands up, lies down, turns over, stands up again, sits down), then the water will flow out. If you take one position, they may stop flowing completely, because the head will be pressed tightly against the pelvis.
Treatment
Regardless of whether the pregnancy is full-term or not, if the bladder ruptures, the woman is hospitalized in the maternity hospital. To prevent infection from reaching the child, antibiotics are prescribed. If the period is less than 34 weeks, labor is suppressed using medication.
Conservation therapy is aimed at relaxing the uterus and maintaining pregnancy. Tocolytics are used for this purpose. You can prolong pregnancy without water for a maximum of 72 hours. There are cases where the life and development of the fetus was supported for 5 weeks.
After 34 weeks, when it is possible to deliver a newborn and the maximum permissible water-free period has not yet been reached, the woman is ensured a normal course of labor. In the absence of contractions, stimulation is carried out with drugs. In cases where treatment does not bring results, a medical abortion is performed.
Termination of pregnancy is carried out according to the following indications:
- infection of the uterus and fetus;
- sepsis in a woman in labor;
- placental abruption;
- fetal death;
- pathologies of child development, changes in the bone skeleton.
Obstetricians are considering options for preserving the life of the fetus. Termination of pregnancy is an extreme case when the woman’s life is at risk and the treatment provided does not work.
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The anhydrous period during childbirth is an important stage in the birth of a baby. It is impossible to say exactly how long a fetus can spend in a woman’s womb without amniotic fluid. A timely visit to the maternity hospital and the right tactics will help preserve the health of the mother and the life of the child.
- https://vseprorebenka.ru/rody/process-rodov/bezvodnyj-period-v-rodah-norma.html
- https://m.baby.ru/blogs/post/168328092-69883820/
- https://rozhau.ru/nachalo/bezvodnyj-period-pri-rodah/
Treatment of amniotic fluid leakage
As such, treatment for premature leakage of pericardial fluid . Depending on the stage of pregnancy, doctors choose different tactics. In a full-term pregnancy, spontaneous labor develops within 2-3 hours in most cases. If it is absent within 3 hours, obstetricians-gynecologists begin labor induction (stimulation of labor).
However, if the cervix is immature (not ready for the birth of a child), a hormonal background is first created for its maturation. If there are contraindications for natural delivery, a cesarean section is performed.
If the pregnancy is premature, everything depends on its duration. In the period up to 35 weeks and there are no signs of infection, expectant management is used, because every day is important for the fetus. During this time, the child’s immature airways are prepared using hormonal drugs (glucocorticoids). The woman and child are constantly under the supervision of hospital doctors:
- Antibacterial therapy and prevention of fetal hypoxia are carried out;
- The woman is on bed rest;
- Constant monitoring of the condition of the child (CTG - cardiac activity, ultrasound, Dopplerometry - assessment of blood flow, fetal movements) and mother (laboratory tests, measurement of body temperature) is carried out.
After 35 weeks, the baby's airways are considered mature, and expectant management is not used. Depending on the readiness of the birth canal, the doctor chooses a cesarean section or natural birth.
When the pregnancy is up to 20 weeks, it is usually not possible to save a baby with such a problem. And if he succeeds, then he is born with a whole bunch of pathologies (blindness, deafness, respiratory failure, paralysis). After a thorough examination of the mother, a medical verdict is made on the possibility of continuing the pregnancy and the expected consequences of such a step.
Why is a long period without water dangerous for the mother and fetus?
If the rupture of water occurred outside the hospital walls, obstetricians recommend that the woman in labor record the time at which it happened
Why is it so important to track the duration of the water-free period? The amniotic sac protects the amniotic fluid from the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms from the vagina
Cracks formed in the membranes are a kind of passage for external infections
The amniotic sac protects the amniotic fluid from the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms from the vagina. Cracks formed in the membranes are a kind of passage for external infections.
A long period without water is dangerous for both the fetus and the mother. Consequences for the mother in labor:
- placental abruption, which leads to bleeding;
- decreased labor activity;
- multiple birth ruptures;
- inflammation of the inner surface of the uterus (endometritis);
- forced removal of the uterus due to complications.
After the fluid begins to leak, obstetricians constantly monitor the condition of the fetus. During a prolonged anhydrous period, additional examination methods are often used (analysis of amniotic fluid, CHT, ultrasound). The fetus may have the following complications:
- hypoxia;
- intrauterine infection;
- decreased vital signs due to umbilical cord prolapse;
- trauma during childbirth;
- death before birth due to lack of oxygen or infection that has entered the body.
My daughter’s water broke out and she could not get to the maternity hospital for a long time. Tell me, how long can a child live normally in the stomach without water?
Obstetricians say this period can range from 6 to 24 hours. A great risk for the baby arises already 6 hours after the membrane of the amniotic sac ruptures. This is due to the fact that all the mucous membranes of our body are inhabited by many microorganisms that do not harm us under normal conditions. After all, immune cells always protect us. They do not allow opportunistic bacteria to multiply. But the child in the mother’s womb develops in a sterile environment thanks to amniotic fluid. They are clean, there are no germs. When the fetal bladder is opened, the prerequisites arise for pathogenic microorganisms from the woman’s vagina to penetrate the uterus and begin to multiply on the fetal membranes. This risk occurs 6 hours after the rupture of amniotic fluid. That is why obstetricians always emphasize that after the water breaks during a full-term pregnancy, the woman gets to the maternity hospital as soon as possible. This will reduce the risk of fetal infection. If the delivery to the maternity hospital is delayed, chorioamnionitis and septic complications in the woman in labor develop. She may be at risk of postpartum endometritis.
A different situation arises in case of premature pregnancy, if the waters have broken. Until 34 weeks of pregnancy, the fetus does not yet have the substance responsible for expanding the lungs. This means that after birth, he practically cannot breathe on his own. Therefore, doctors are trying to protect the fetus with antibiotics, delay labor, and prepare the ground for the healthy birth of the baby. When prolonging pregnancy after the water breaks, doctors do not conduct vaginal examinations of the expectant mother, but only monitor body temperature, the condition of the woman’s blood and the intrauterine condition of the fetus. If amniotic fluid ruptures after 34 weeks, there is no need to extend the water-free period. As a rule, after the above, obstetricians wait 4 hours. And when there are no contractions, they are stimulated and labor is induced.
The doctor prescribed folic acid at the first visit to the antenatal clinic. Now it's 8 weeks. He didn’t say how long to take it. How long to drink?
I really want to have another baby. Your period should start any day now. I want to understand that maybe they won’t exist and I’m still pregnant. Tell me, how long before menstruation does the basal temperature drop?
Pregnant for the first time. My doctor is not very sociable. Young. Tell me how many pads should I take to the maternity hospital?
I have no strength, toxicosis has tormented me. I lost a lot of weight in two weeks. How long does it generally last at the beginning of pregnancy?
Amniotic fluid: what happens when it breaks
During pregnancy, the fetus is surrounded by amniotic fluid in the amniotic sac, which protects it from external factors. Amniotic fluid promotes the development of the baby's lungs and gastrointestinal tract, and also maintains a constant temperature. During the second half of pregnancy, amniotic fluid consists primarily of the baby's urine, but it also contains nutrients, hormones and antibodies that help fight infections. At the beginning of contractions or during them, and sometimes before the onset of contractions, the membranes of the membranes rupture. This stage of labor is referred to as “the water has broken.” Often this is how the onset of labor manifests itself at an early stage. Doctors do not know what exactly causes the bladder to rupture.
The water breaks, but there are no contractions: what to do in this case?
December 20, 2013
Childbirth is a complex and sometimes unpredictable process. Their course is difficult to predict. In some women they pass quickly and begin suddenly, in others they proceed more slowly. What to do when your water breaks but there are no contractions? Is it dangerous?
Is this normal?
Many people are interested in the following question: What comes first: contractions or water breaking? Everything is individual and depends on some features of the cervix, as well as on the location of the fetus in the womb. So, if the baby's head is too low, the membranes may rupture and the amniotic fluid will spill out. And it’s quite normal if contractions follow almost immediately. Then labor will be normal and active, the baby will appear in the very near future. But if the water breaks and there are no contractions for two to four hours, then you should sound the alarm, since a child without amniotic fluid in the womb can live for about 12-15 hours.
Why did this happen? If the water breaks, but there are no contractions, then this could happen under the influence of several factors:
- polyhydramnios;
- intrauterine infections;
- multiple pregnancy;
- pathologies of the structure of the uterus or cervix.
Possible risks
Is there a threat to the child's life? Yes, if your water breaks without contractions, it can be dangerous. Here are several possible outcomes:
- The uterus will decrease in size and move slightly. And this can affect the normal course of labor.
- If a child is left without amniotic fluid for a long time (it contains oxygen, which the fetus breathes), then hypoxia may begin. This condition is harmful to the brain and nervous system and can threaten the baby’s life.
- In most cases, labor activity slows down after the rupture of amniotic fluid and may even die out completely.
- When the integrity of the membranes is compromised, bacteria and other pathogenic organisms from the external environment can freely penetrate to the fetus. There is a risk of infection.
- When amniotic fluid leaks, placental abruption may occur and the fetus' nutritional process may be disrupted, which can be dangerous.
What to do?
What to do if the water breaks, but there are no contractions? You definitely need to go to the maternity hospital. It’s even better to call a doctor and report your condition by phone, so that the doctors take with them means to stimulate contractions and labor.
When a pregnant woman is admitted to the hospital, she will certainly undergo an ultrasound to assess the condition of the baby and placenta. Depending on the results and gestation period, a decision will be made. Here are some options:
If the period is short, then attempts will be made to maintain the pregnancy. If unsuccessful, the baby will be given drugs to accelerate the development and opening of the lungs. If the period is normal, then doctors will try to induce contractions with medications. If uterine contractions have begun, labor will proceed normally.
But it is important that the water-free period does not exceed 12-15 hours. If there is no activity of the uterus and the cervix is not dilated, then a caesarean section will be performed.
Let the birth be successful and the baby be born healthy!
Functions of amniotic fluid
Amniotic fluid contributes to the normal development of the baby, protects the child from pressure from the walls of the uterus and from external physical influences. In addition, amniotic fluid is a reliable barrier against the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms. The main functions include :
- Protection against infection , which can reach the child vertically (through the mother’s genitals);
- Prevents compression of the umbilical cord , thereby creating free flow of blood to the child;
- Mechanical - protects the fetus from adverse external influences (fall, shock, etc.), creates conditions for free movements;
- It is a biologically active environment in which there is a constant exchange between mother and child and the secretion of chemicals.
When rupture occurs, all these functions suffer, but the most dangerous of the complications is intrauterine infection of the fetus, because leakage occurs due to a violation of the integrity of the membranes, the tightness of protecting the child from the external environment is lost, and its sterility is disrupted. An opportunity is created for the penetration of bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.
Anhydrous period: how long can a child go without water?
The anhydrous period is one of the stages of childbirth. In the normal course of pregnancy, it occurs at the end of the first period. However, there are situations when the discharge of amniotic fluid begins much earlier than it should. A prolonged anhydrous period during childbirth can pose a threat to the health and life of both the child and the mother.
The term “anhydrous period” refers to the time period from the beginning of the rupture of amniotic fluid (immediately after rupture of the membranes) until the birth of the baby. A period is considered anhydrous, even if the amniotic fluid leaves in small portions through microcracks in the fetal bladder.
Examination in the anhydrous period
At the very beginning of the waterless period or if you suspect water has broken, you should contact a gynecologist who will prescribe an examination. Because without diagnostic measures, no one knows how long a child can be in the womb without water.
Inpatient examination includes:
- Fetal ultrasound with Doppler ultrasound, which will determine the volume of amniotic fluid, the integrity of the membranes and the condition of the child.
- Analysis for the determination of amniotic fluid in vaginal secretions.
- CTG (cardiotocography) of the fetus to clarify the child’s condition and the presence of hypoxia.
- Tests to detect latent infection of the fetus.
- Gynecological examination to determine the dilatation of the cervix, as well as for prolapse of the umbilical cord or parts of the fetus.
- Other general clinical examinations - blood and urine tests, assessment of the mother’s condition.
Tests for examination at home
When a woman feels well, but suspects leakage of amniotic fluid, you can buy tests at the pharmacy to determine amniotic fluid in vaginal discharge:
- Frautest Amnio pads. The most convenient option for use at home is represented by a conventional gasket. This method allows you to monitor the discharge for 12 hours. The test is in the gasket itself, so the result is assessed by examining the presence of stains on it. If the result is negative, it is either colorless or yellowish. A positive result for the presence of amniotic fluid means the appearance of blue or green spots of any size and intensity on the pad.
- AmniSure test kit. This technique will give a more accurate result. The kit includes a vaginal tampon, reagent and test strip. The tampon needs to be inserted for a while, then immersed in the reagent for 1 minute. You need to dip the test strip into the liquid and wait for the result for 10 minutes. A positive result is the presence of two stripes.
Treatment during anhydrous period
When amniotic fluid is discharged, regardless of the stage of pregnancy, the woman is hospitalized. How long a child can remain without water depends on the medical tactics.
It is very important for the patient to comply with the medical and protective regime and aseptic conditions of stay. Pregnant women are prescribed antibiotics for prophylactic purposes, which cannot harm the baby.
Labor suppressants and other necessary drugs are also used.
If the pregnancy is over 34 weeks, the pregnancy is not extended. The woman is hospitalized to ensure the normal course of labor. If necessary (if the anhydrous period lasts more than 6 hours and there are no contractions, or they are weak and ineffective), labor is stimulated with medication. According to indications, mechanical dilatation of the cervix is performed.
Termination of pregnancy or induction of premature labor is carried out if there is an unfavorable prognosis for the child or mother:
- massive bacterial infection of the uterus, placenta, membranes and the fetus itself;
- development of sepsis in the mother;
- multiple deformities of the child and pathologies of its development;
- detachment of a significant part of the placenta;
- intrauterine fetal death.
How long a child can remain without amniotic fluid is a very important question for the doctor. The anhydrous period is a normal stage of labor, but its prolonged course can be dangerous.
The woman does not know how long the child can remain without water, so delay in this case is absolutely unacceptable.
Observation by an obstetrician-gynecologist is necessary to choose the correct tactics for managing pregnancy and childbirth.
The duration of the water-free period is normal
How long can the anhydrous period during childbirth last? Everything here is individual. However, the duration of the anhydrous period during childbirth is considered to be up to 6 hours.
Women who have already had amniotic fluid leak are naturally interested in how long the baby can remain without amniotic fluid. A pathology is considered to be a water-free period of more than 72 hours. It can last from several days to several weeks, and without drug cover during such a period, complications will definitely arise in the mother and fetus.
As soon as a pregnant woman’s water breaks or there is a suspicion of leakage, she should urgently contact an obstetrician-gynecologist. After all, how long a child can be in the womb without water in a particular situation is unknown until examined by a specialist.
Treatment
Regardless of whether the pregnancy is full-term or not, if the bladder ruptures, the woman is hospitalized in the maternity hospital. To prevent infection from reaching the child, antibiotics are prescribed. If the period is less than 34 weeks, labor is suppressed using medication.
Conservation therapy is aimed at relaxing the uterus and maintaining pregnancy. Tocolytics are used for this purpose. You can prolong pregnancy without water for a maximum of 72 hours. There are cases where the life and development of the fetus was supported for 5 weeks.
After 34 weeks, when it is possible to deliver a newborn and the maximum permissible water-free period has not yet been reached, the woman is ensured a normal course of labor. In the absence of contractions, stimulation is carried out with drugs. In cases where treatment does not bring results, a medical abortion is performed.
Termination of pregnancy is carried out according to the following indications:
- infection of the uterus and fetus;
- sepsis in a woman in labor;
- placental abruption;
- fetal death;
- pathologies of child development, changes in the bone skeleton.
Obstetricians are considering options for preserving the life of the fetus. Termination of pregnancy is an extreme case when the woman’s life is at risk and the treatment provided does not work.
The anhydrous period during childbirth is an important stage in the birth of a baby. It is impossible to say exactly how long a fetus can spend in a woman’s womb without amniotic fluid. A timely visit to the maternity hospital and the right tactics will help preserve the health of the mother and the life of the child.
How long can a fetus live during an anhydrous period?
How long can a baby stay in the womb without water? It was already said above that the duration of the water-free period up to 6 hours does not threaten the child.
Exactly how many hours a child can be without water depends on the viability of the fetus and many other factors:
- Gestational age.
- Volume of amniotic fluid.
- Presence of intrauterine infection.
- Are we talking about fetal hypoxia?
So, how long a child can be without amniotic fluid largely depends on the factors listed above. In a healthy mother in the late stages of pregnancy (over 28 weeks), in the absence of congenital pathology of the baby, correct presentation, absence of infection, competent management of the doctor, pregnancy can be maintained until the required period for several days and even weeks.
