Successful outcome following pre-viability amniorrhexis.

A 34-years-old primigravida conceived following a fourth attempt at in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer for severe bilateral tubal disease and grade IV endometriosis. Pregnancy progressed well until 17 weeks gestation when she spontaneously ruptured her membranes. She elected to continue with the pregnancy despite the significant risks associated with prolonged rupture of membranes (PROM) and anhydramnion at extremes of viability. Pregnancy was carried to 28 weeks gestation, when delivery was necessitated by a major antepartum haemorrhage following abruption placentae. A male infant weighing 1,100 g was delivered by emergency caesarean section in good condition, and with no features oligohydramnion tetrad (Potter's features, skeletal deformities, intrauterine growth restriction, and pulmonary hypoplasia). This case adds to the small number of cases in the literature of successful outcome following prolonged pre-viability PROM. Counselling and psychological support to the parents in this situation is extremely important since the anxiety and uncertainty associated with expectant management of PROM does not end with the "successful" delivery of the baby but persists all through the neonatal period and for several years later.