[Asymptomatic spontaneous rupture of the uterus without previous sectio]

Rupture of the uterus is rare but catastrophic. Rupture often results in fetal bradycardia, abdominal pain, haemodynamic changes and vaginal bleeding. A 36-year-old healthy woman, gravida 3, para 1, went into spontaneous labour at gestation age 39 + 4, and at orificium 7 cm she received epidural analgesia. Following the epidural, the fetal heartbeat could not be registered by external cardiotocography, and caput could not be palpated. Spontaneous birth was attempted, but a caesarean section was necessary. The baby was found in the abdomen. Uterus was successfully contracted, thus preventing fatal bleeding. Asymptomatic rupture of the unscarred uterus is rare and difficult to diagnose.