ROM

ROM- rupture of (amniotic) membranes
SROM- spontaneous rupture of membranes, happens naturally during labor, pushing or at birth
PROM- premature rupture of membranes, happens at least an hour before the onset of labor
PPROM- preterm premature rupture of membranes, happens before the onset of labor before 37 weeks gestation
AROM- artificial rupture of membranes, happens when a physician or midwife purposefully rupture the amniotic sac releasing amniotic fluid

Before you arrive at your due date it is important that you research the rationale, benefits, risks and alternatives (including doing nothing) of AROM. It is one of the most commonly performed procedures in hospital birth. It has pros and cons and proponents on both sides of the coin.

Pro's
-May speed up labor by an hour
-Allows for the placement of internal fetal and contraction monitors
-Allows for the examination of amniotic fluid for the presence of meconium
-Used for labor induction (ALSO, understand the rationale, benefits risks and alternatives of induction before consenting to an induction)

Con's
-Opens the mother and baby to infection
-Places the laboring mother on a "time-clock" for delivery which may lead to other interventions (ie, Pitocin)
-Lack of mobility (must now stay on monitors)
-Umbilical cord prolapse
-May make contractions more painful

If you are declining AROM be sure that your provider is aware of your refusal of AROM before they perform each vaginal exam. If you are consenting to AROM it may behoove you to delay AROM until you have established a consistent contraction pattern in active labor, this way allowing for shorter time between rupture and birth. A shorter time frame between ROM and birth may help lower your risk of infection because of fewer vaginal exams.

Please, research your options. It is your right as a health care consumer!