Logan Reid
The waters breaking is a sign that labour is coming. It is the rupturing of the amniotic sac that surrounds the baby during pregnancy. If your waters break, you should call your healthcare provider immediately. They will advise on what to do based on how many weeks into pregnancy you are, among other factors. If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant, head to the hospital right away. It is likely you'll go into labour on your own within 24 hours of your water breaking. If labour doesn't start naturally, your healthcare provider may offer to induce labour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to call the hospital | If your waters break before 37 weeks of pregnancy, call your doctor and head to the hospital immediately. |
| If you are losing blood, call the hospital immediately. | |
| If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant, go to the hospital immediately as you may be at risk of premature labour. | |
| If you have a high temperature, your waters aren't clean, there's a lack of movement from the baby, or you have Group B strep, go to the hospital immediately. | |
| What to do if your waters break | Call your healthcare provider immediately. |
| If you are in labour, your midwife may break your waters for you to help induce or speed up your labour. | |
| If you are not in labour, your healthcare provider may offer to induce labour. | |
| If your labour is going slowly, your doctor may recommend breaking your waters. | |
| If your water breaks and you are not in labour, you may be advised to stay home and wait to see if contractions start. |
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What You'll Learn
If your waters break before 37 weeks, go to the hospital
If your waters break before 37 weeks, it's important to go to the hospital. This early breaking of the waters is called preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and it occurs in about 8% to 10% of pregnancies. It can lead to premature birth and poses an increased risk of infection for both you and your baby.
If you experience PPROM, you should call your midwife, maternity unit, or doctor right away. They will ask you to come in for tests and checks, including monitoring your baby's heartbeat. You will be offered further tests to check for infection and may be prescribed a course of antibiotics. You may also be offered steroids to help your baby's lungs develop if you are between 24 and 36 weeks pregnant.
It is recommended to go to the hospital right away if you experience PPROM, even if you are unsure. Your healthcare provider will guide you on the next steps and help determine if you need to be admitted. The longer your water is broken, the higher the risk of infection, so it is important to seek medical attention promptly.
If your water breaks before 37 weeks, your healthcare provider's goal will be to delay delivery if possible. They may use medication to prevent preterm labour and carefully monitor your condition in the hospital. If you are at least 34 weeks pregnant, they may determine that delivery is the safest option.
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Waters breaking: What to expect
Waters breaking, also known as rupturing of the membranes, is a sign of labour. It occurs when the amniotic sac, the bag of fluid in your womb that surrounds and protects the fetus, tears and the amniotic fluid comes out through your vagina.
When your waters break, you may feel a mild pop, followed by a trickle or a gush of fluid that you cannot control. Amniotic fluid is usually clear or light yellow, although it can be tinged brown or red, and is odourless. If you are unsure whether your waters have broken, it is always best to call your healthcare provider for advice.
If your waters break before labour begins, you will usually go into labour within 24 hours. If labour does not start naturally within this time frame, your healthcare provider may induce labour to reduce the risk of infection for you and your baby. If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant when your waters break, you should go to the hospital immediately as you may be at risk of premature labour.
To prepare for your waters breaking, you can keep a sanitary pad (not a tampon) handy to absorb the amniotic fluid and protect your bed with a sheet. It is also important to take steps to reduce the risk of infection, such as frequently changing your sanitary pad and avoiding sex, swimming, or using products around the genitals.
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When to call the hospital
When your water breaks, it means that labour is beginning and you’ll soon meet your baby. It is the rupturing of the amniotic sac that surrounds your baby during pregnancy. It’s also called rupturing of the membranes and is a sign of labour.
If your water breaks, you should call your healthcare provider immediately. They will advise on what to do based on how many weeks into pregnancy you are, among other factors. If you haven’t been receiving prenatal care and don’t have a doctor, call your local emergency room. They’ll be able to guide you on what to do next.
If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant, head to the hospital right away as you may be at risk of premature labour. If you are at home waiting for contractions to kick in, check with your doctor before taking a bath as it could pose an infection risk.
If you are losing more blood than is usual, it may be a sign something is wrong, so phone your hospital or midwife straight away.
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What to do if you experience no contractions
If your water breaks and you are not experiencing contractions, it is important to call your doctor or healthcare provider right away. They will advise you on what to do next, which may include going to the hospital or scheduling an evaluation. If you are under 37 weeks pregnant, head to the hospital immediately.
If you are at home waiting for contractions to start, it is recommended to rest, take slow walks, or focus on other ways to relax. You can also eat during early labour, as once you are admitted to the hospital, you may not be able to eat. It is important to note that the risk of infection increases the longer your water is broken, so most healthcare professionals will recommend interventions if labour hasn't begun within 24 hours of your water breaking.
If you are unsure whether your water has broken, it can be helpful to put on a clean pair of underwear or a sanitary pad. Amniotic fluid is generally clear or pale yellow and odorless or may have a sweet smell. It is also thin and watery, as opposed to the thicker consistency of vaginal discharge. Urine, on the other hand, is typically darker yellow and has a distinct odour.
If you have not received prenatal care and do not have a doctor, call your local emergency room for guidance. They will be able to advise you on the necessary next steps.
In some cases, your water may break, and then nothing happens. This can be normal, and your body may just need some time to kick into labour. However, you may also need medical intervention to induce labour and reduce the risk of infection.
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Signs of labour
The breaking of the amniotic sac, or the "waters breaking", is a sign that labour is imminent. The amniotic sac is a bag of fluid that surrounds and protects the baby during pregnancy. When the sac tears, amniotic fluid comes out of the vagina. This can feel like a mild pop, followed by a trickle or a gush of fluid.
If your waters break, you should call your healthcare provider immediately. They will advise on what to do next, which may include going to the hospital. If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant, you should go to the hospital right away as you may be at risk of premature labour.
Other signs that labour is beginning include contractions, backache, and a "show". A show is when the mucus plug in the cervix comes away, which may happen just before labour starts or during early labour. This sticky, jelly-like pink mucus may pass out of the vagina in one blob or several pieces. It is pink because it contains a small amount of blood. If you are losing more blood, this may be a sign that something is wrong, so contact your hospital or midwife immediately.
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Frequently asked questions
Call your healthcare provider or midwife immediately. They will advise on what to do next based on how many weeks into pregnancy you are.
Waters breaking before labour is common. You will likely go into labour within 24 hours. If labour doesn't start naturally, your healthcare provider may induce labour.
Contractions usually start soon after your waters break, but not always. You may experience a delay between your waters breaking and contractions beginning. If it's been more than 24 hours since your waters broke, go to the hospital right away.
Call your doctor and head to the hospital immediately. You may be at risk of premature labour.
Your midwife or doctor may offer to break your waters to induce or speed up your labour.
