Definition
Uterine rupture is a tear in the muscle of the uterus (womb). It is a rare problem that can happen when giving birth.
Female Reproductive Organs |
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Causes
It happens more often in women who have had prior surgery on their womb, such as a cesarean section (c-section).
Risk Factors
Things that may raise the risk of this problem are:
- Prior rupture
- A womb that is not typical
- Past surgery on the womb, such as a c-section
- Having drugs to induce birth
- Having a baby after being pregnant for 42 weeks
- A large womb, such as from being pregnant with more than one baby
Symptoms
Some people may not have symptoms. Those who do may have:
- Belly pain that starts quickly
- Bleeding from the birth canal
- Slowing or stopping of contractions
Diagnosis
A baby who is having problems will be delivered right away. This will likely be done by c-section. If the baby is not delivered right away, it could result in lasting harm to the brain, problems due to lack of oxygen, or death.
Diagnosis is confirmed during surgery.
Prevention
There are no known methods to prevent this health problem. Proper prenatal care can help to find problems before they happen.
RESOURCES
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists http://www.acog.org
American Pregnancy Association http://americanpregnancy.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Women's Health Network http://www.cwhn.ca
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada https://sogc.org
References
Trial of labor after cesarean section (TOLAC). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/management/trial-of-labor-after-cesarean-section-tolac. Accessed August 24, 2021.
Uterine rupture: caring for the patient with. EBSCO Nursing Reference Center website. Available at: https://www.ebscohost.com/nursing/products/nursing-reference-center. Accessed August 24, 2021.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review BoardBeverly Siegal, MD, FACOG
- Review Date: 07/2021
- Update Date: 08/24/2021