What is an amniotomy?

What is an amniotomy?

• A. Artificial rupture of membranes (AROM)
• B. Spontaneous rupture of membranes
• C. Cervical dilation
• D. External cephalic version

Answer: (A)

Amniotomy is the artificial rupture of the amniotic membranes. It’s a procedure done by a clinician using a sterile instrument to deliberately break the water, releasing amniotic fluid. The main purpose is to induce or augment labor and to enable internal fetal monitoring or the use of an intrauterine pressure catheter. After the membranes are ruptured, fetal heart rate and labor progress are watched closely, and care providers monitor for risks such as infection (chorioamnionitis) or cord prolapse. Spontaneous rupture of membranes is when the membranes rupture on their own, not by a deliberate procedure. Cervical dilation describes the process of the cervix opening during labor, not the rupture of membranes. External cephalic version is a separate procedure to turn a breech or transverse fetus to a head-down position.

Amniotomy is the artificial rupture of the amniotic membranes. It’s a procedure done by a clinician using a sterile instrument to deliberately break the water, releasing amniotic fluid. The main purpose is to induce or augment labor and to enable internal fetal monitoring or the use of an intrauterine pressure catheter. After the membranes are ruptured, fetal heart rate and labor progress are watched closely, and care providers monitor for risks such as infection (chorioamnionitis) or cord prolapse.

Spontaneous rupture of membranes is when the membranes rupture on their own, not by a deliberate procedure. Cervical dilation describes the process of the cervix opening during labor, not the rupture of membranes. External cephalic version is a separate procedure to turn a breech or transverse fetus to a head-down position.