When the membranes rupture and there is leakage of amniotic fluid before the start of contractions, this is called premature rupture of membranes (PROM). When this occurs at term, the vast majority of women will deliver within 24 hours of membrane rupture. When this occurs in a preterm pregnancy, depending on the gestational age, it may be beneficial to administer antepartum corticosteroids to promote fetal lung maturity and to start magnesium sulfate for neuroprotection.
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