Uterine ruptures are traumatizing. When the uterine lining tears, develops a weak spot, or tears open and releases the fetus, it is a uterine rupture. Women most at risk for uterine ruptures are women who have had any surgery on their uteruses, such as C-sections, and women who attempt to deliver by vaginal birth after a C-section. Some C-sections, such as low transverse C-sections, do not pose such a serious risk.

Other risks include having more than five full-term pregnancies, having a distended uterus, carrying multiple fetuses, and using labor-inducing medications. The drug Cytotec, which is not supposed to be used to induce labor, greatly increases the risk of uterine rupture. Oxytocin (pitocin, syntocinon) and prostaglandins (prostaglandin gel, prostin) also increase the risk of uterine ruptures.

There are usually no symptoms prior to a uterine rupture. They can happen in the late stages of pregnancy or during childbirth. Fortunately, many ruptures are very mild. However, other uterine ruptures can lead to the death of the baby or the mother. When the uterine ruptures, the woman experiences severe pain in the abdominal area and the baby’s heart rate fluctuates dramatically.

Doctors have to perform emergency C-sections when a uterine ruptures, and they often have to conduct a full or partial hysterectomy on the mother. Sometimes, during cases in which the mother loses large amounts of blood, blood transfusions must be performed.

Talk to your doctor about your risk of uterine rupture, and what you can do to avoid it. Know all your child birthing options, and make sure you and your doctor are on the same page about what drugs you’ll use, if any, and what methods of delivery you would like to pursue.