Spontaneous rupture of the amniotic sac before labor and before 37 weeks gestation is known as?

• A. Premature rupture of membranes (PROM)
• B. Ectopic pregnancy
• C. Preeclampsia
• D. Placenta previa

Answer: (A)

Rupture of the amniotic sac before labor is Premature Rupture of Membranes. When this rupture happens before 37 weeks, clinicians often call it preterm PROM, but the basic label for rupture before labor remains PROM. This describes the scenario of the membranes tearing spontaneously prior to the onset of labor, regardless of exact timing, which is what the question is asking.

The other options describe different obstetric problems that do not involve the rupture of the amniotic membranes before labor. Ectopic pregnancy involves implantation outside the uterus, preeclampsia is about new-onset hypertension with protein in the urine after 20 weeks, and placenta previa is a placenta located near or over the cervix, causing bleeding risks.