Signs That Your Water Has Broken
Clear and odorless — Amniotic fluid is clear or pale yellow, thin, and odorless. Gush or subtle leak — Unlike dramatic movie scenes, water breaking doesn't always result in a massive gush. Sometimes, it's a gentle leak or stream, like pricking a balloon with a pin.
But if you're not sure, just call your midwife or maternity unit. It can be hard to tell the difference between amniotic fluid, wee (urine) and vaginal discharge. Amniotic fluid is often pale, clear and it does not smell. It may be a little blood-stained to begin with.
When your water breaks you might experience a sensation of wetness in your vagina or on your perineum, an intermittent or constant leaking of small amounts of watery fluid from your vagina, or a more obvious gush of clear or pale yellow fluid.
Your baby should continue to move as normal once your waters have broken and when you are having contractions. You can eat and drink as normal. It is really important that you drink plenty to remain hydrated.
When your water breaks, you may feel a gush of amniotic fluid, or you might only notice a slow trickle. The amount depends on whether you have a tear or gross rupture. "If the amniotic sac is rupturing below the baby's head, then fluid has built up and will gush out.
If your baby is not born within the next 24 hours after your waters breaking, he/ she will need to stay in hospital for 12 hours after birth so they can be closely monitored for any signs of an infection. A small number of women will not go into labour within 48 hours and will be advised to have their labour induced.
Yes, your water may break without you knowing. You might be unsure whether the drips or trickles are amniotic fluid, pee or vaginal discharge. Inspecting your underwear or pad for smells or color can help you determine what it is. Despite what you see in movies, your water breaking might not be dramatic.
If your cervix has opened up to at least 2-3 centimetres dilated and the baby's head is well engaged (low down in your pelvis), your waters will be broken (see below under Artifical Rupture of Membranes). If it is not possible to break your waters a second Propess pessary may be inserted if appropriate.
Yes, the fetus can survive if your water breaks too soon. It depends on factors like the age of the pregnancy and how much amniotic fluid is left. Your pregnancy care provider will watch for signs of fetal distress and infection to determine when they should deliver your baby.
It happens often when you are in bed sleeping. You may wake up and think you have wet the bed. Sometimes women feel or even hear a small “pop” when the bag breaks. Sometimes there is a gush of fluid from the vagina that makes your underwear wet; or maybe just a trickle that makes you feel damp.
Labor usually follows soon after your water breaks – regular contractions often start before this, but in some cases, the water breaks first. If your water breaks when you're full term but you're not in labor (not having contractions), it's called premature rupture of membranes (PROM).
It can be hard to tell the difference, especially if you haven't leaked urine before. You may get clues from its appearance and smell. Urine will typically have a yellowish color and a distinctive acidic smell. Amniotic fluid often doesn't have an odor, or it has a slightly sweet smell.
It can be difficult to know when you're in true labor. First-time parents, in particular, might mistake other symptoms or irregular practice contractions (called Braxton Hicks contractions) for true labor. True labor has a pattern and progresses steadily over time.
Baby dropping may feel like a sudden, noticeable movement for some people, while others may not feel it happening. Baby dropping, or lightening, may make it easier to breathe and increase appetite. This is because there is more space in the abdomen and less pressure on organs.
During the natural process of labor, the water breaks when the baby's head puts pressure on the amniotic sac, causing it to rupture.
You may feel some cramping and pain in your lower back and groin as labor nears, especially if this isn't your first pregnancy. Your muscles and joints are stretching and shifting in preparation for birth.
It is fine to take a bath or a shower, but please avoid sexual intercourse as this may increase the risk of infection.