title: Spontaneous rupture of the unscarred uterus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  By presentation of cases of spontaneous (nontraumatic) ruptures of previously intact uteri, we sought to emphasize important aspects of this rare and dangerous event.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two case presentations of oxytocin-associated unscarred uterine rupture and review of pertinent literature are used to study risk factors and accompanying clinical characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both spontaneous ruptures of previous unscarred uteri were associated with low-dose oxytocin augmentation, bradycardia, and uterine hyperstimulation monitor patterns and occurred at the onset of the second stage of labor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because of its rarity, further investigation of spontaneous uterine rupture will depend on case presentations where the associated events listed are noted and uterine hyperstimulation, fetal bradycardia, and second-stage onset are proved or disproved as valid clinical associations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, USA.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Sweeten
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Graves
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Athanassiou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000209:etiology; D001946:Breech Presentation; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006801:Humans; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000009:adverse effects; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D014597:Uterine Rupture / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014710:Version, Fetal
chemical_list: D010121:Oxytocin