Final answer:
The primary risk associated with an amniotomy is prolapse of the umbilical cord, which could lead to compression of the cord and a cut-off oxygen supply to the baby. Other potential complications of childbirth, like maternal infection and hemorrhage, are not the primary risks associated with this procedure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary risk associated with an amniotomy, which is an artificial breaking of the amniotic sac, is c. Prolapse of the umbilical cord. A prolapsed umbilical cord occurs when the cord drops through the open cervix into the vagina ahead of the baby. This is a significant risk because it can compress the cord and cut off the baby's oxygen supply. In childbirth, other complications like maternal infection can occur, particularly if there is a prolonged time between membrane rupture and delivery. While issues such as maternal hemorrhage or separation of the placenta (placental abruption) are serious, they are not the primary risks associated with amniotomy.
During childbirth, when the water breaks naturally or through amniotomy, the risk of umbilical cord prolapse is present if the baby is not yet well engaged in the pelvis, particularly when the head does not provide a seal to block the cord from descending. This condition requires immediate medical attention to reduce the risk of fetal hypoxia and possibly necessitate an emergency cesarean section.