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What should expecting mothers know about uterine ruptures?

On Behalf of | Mar 2, 2018 | Birth Injuries |

Expecting mothers in Seattle like you all wish that their children are born in perfect health. Unfortunately, complications can occur and accidents can happen in the heat of the moment. Uterine rupture is one such possible childbirth injury that can have potentially catastrophic results.

MedScape takes a look at uterine ruptures in pregnant women, which is an uncommon but potentially deadly phenomenon in which the myometrial wall is breached during childbirth. This rupture can be partial, with the peritoneum still remaining intact. It can also be a full rupture, where contents of the uterus such as the fetus spill out into the peritoneal cavity. 

Not only does a uterine rupture have a high chance of morbidity for both the child and mother, but it’s also very hard to detect. The symptoms are not particularly specific and may be erratic. Typically speaking, there’s anywhere from 10 to 37 minutes from diagnosis to delivery before the chance of your baby passing away becomes high. Anoxia or catastrophic hemorrhage are two of the top reasons for death when a uterine rupture occurs.

There is also uterine dishesion. In this situation, a scar on the uterus from previous Cesarean sections or other surgeries separates and opens. It should be noted that uterine dishesion does not have the same high rate of morbidity that’s commonly associated with uterine ruptures.

Uterine ruptures are rare and difficult to detect. However, it’s up to the medical staff to work quickly once a uterine rupture has been detected in order to preserve both your life and the life of your child.