IDENTIFICATION OF PREMATURE MEMBRANE RUPTURE DURING PREGNANCY

摘要

An article for the identification of the premature rupture of a membrane during pregnancy is disclosed. In its preferred embodiment, the article comprises a pad (10) having an upper outer layer (26), a lower outer layer (28), and an intermediate pH-responsive component (34). A double-sided adhesive strip (36) is attached to the lower outer layer. The upper outer layer (26) is composed of a liquid permeable material. Intermediate of the upper out layer (26) and the inner outer layer (28) is a pH-sensitive component (34). This intermediate layer (34) is a pH-sensitive material and may be one of a variety of such materials, although a preferred material is nitrazine paper. In the presence of an alkaline fluid, such as amniotic fluid, the pH-sensitive material (34) responds by turning to a purple-blue color. The change in color acts as a visual indicator to the wearer of the possible presence of amniotic fluid outside of the amniotic sac.