Prelabor Rupture of Membranes

Preterm birth occurs in approximately 10% of all births in the United States and is a major contributor to perinatal morbidity and mortality (1–3). Prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) that occurs preterm complicates approximately 2–3% of all pregnancies in the United States, representing a significant proportion of preterm births, whereas term PROM occurs in approximately 8% of pregnancies (4–6). The optimal approach to assessment and treatment of women with term and preterm PROM remains challenging. Management decisions depend on gestational age and evaluation of the relative risks of delivery versus the risks (eg, infection, abruptio placentae, and umbilical cord accident) of expectant management when pregnancy is allowed to progress to a later gestational age. The purpose of this document is to review the current understanding of this condition and to provide management guidelines that have been validated by appropriately conducted outcome-based research when available. Additional guidelines on the basis of consensus and expert opinion also are presented. This Practice Bulletin is updated to include information about diagnosis of PROM, expectant management of PROM at term, and timing of delivery for patients with preterm PROM between 34 0/7 weeks of gestation and 36 6/7 weeks of gestation.