Uterine rapture is a rare medical emergency. This tear or rapture  usually occurs along the healed scar lines in women who have had a previous cesarean section. Uterine rapture can occur during pregnancy or during labor and is fatal for both mother and baby.

What causes a uterine rapture ?

Uterine rapture usually occurs during labor because of the likelihood of a scar to go under stress during contractions.

If you had a low-transverse uterine incision during c -section, you qualify for a VBAC and the risk for a uterine rapture is low. However if you had a classical incision which is a vertical cut  that extends  vertically to the muscular part of the uterus, the risk of a rapture is high.

Women who have had other uterine surgeries such as  myomectomies (removal of uterine fibroids ), congenital uterine abnormalities and trauma also have an increased risk of uterine rapture.

What are the symptoms of uterine rapture ?

Symptoms of uterine rapture includes the following :

• abdominal pain
• vaginal bleeding
• discontinuation of uterine contraction
• signs of abnormalities in  fetal heart beat
• shock

How is uterine rapture treated ?

If rapture of the uterus occurs, the baby would be delivered through an emergency cesarean section.  If bleeding cannot be controlled and the damage to the woman’s uterus is extensive, she may need a hysterectomy ( surgical removal of the uterus ).

If the damaged to the uterus is not that severe, the uterus is repaired and the woman is given blood transfusion. He may also be given antibiotics through IV to prevent infections.

After going through this complication, you need to take it easy. You may feel light-headed and weak.  You will need a lot of rest, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.

NOTE
After a raptured uterus complication, you will definitely have a repeat c-section should you get pregnant again.
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