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It's the iconic we're-having-a-baby moment in movies and on TV: A pregnant woman's water breaks and she rushes off to the hospital in full-on labor. In real life, of course, it's rarely that dramatic. But your water breaking will be part of your labor and delivery one way or another. So what do you do when it happens?
mommy2be33009 asked in Pregnancy if her waters breaking would constitute a 911 emergency situation (she hates ambulances.)
But the question prompts others, too.
What does it mean when your "water breaks?"
The rupture of the membranes is the breaking of the baby's amniotic sac, and it signals upcoming labor, but not necessarily immediately.
How will you know when your water breaks?
It may be an obvious gush of water -- in which case you'll know for sure -- or a more subtle trickle that could be mistaken for urine or vaginal discharge. But if the fluid is clear and odorless and continues to leak, it's likely that your waters have broken.
Will your water breaking kick off labor?
Your waters can break before or during labor, but before is less common -- only about 10 percent of women actually have them break before labor starts.
And to address mommy2be33990's question, do you have to go to the hospital immediately?
Probably not, but the first thing to do is call your doctor. Tell him you think your water has broken and if you're having contractions -- he'll instruct you on what to do, as once your water has broken there's a risk of inflection.
Let him know if the fluid you're leaking is brown or green in color -- this could mean that the baby has had his first bowel movement (called meconium) while still in your uterus.
If you've given birth before, when did your water break and what was it like? Share with other first-time moms here.
Comments (16)
My water was broken for me with my son. It was painful, but not very exciting. lol... With my daughter, I was having contractions about 4 minutes apart when I went to the grocery store to get some last minute items. My water broke on aisle 12 while I was getting baby wipes. I was already in full-blown labor, humiliated, so, I called my husband and we went to the hospital. Two hours after we got there, Sam was born.
Mine broke in labor. I was on the bed in the hospital just contracting away, and then there was this leaking I could feel. It felt kind of like a period.
My water broke while hubby and I were out walking. We walked home and called the doctor. They told us to come in immediatley but we took our time and got there 1 1/2 hours later. I knew we still had a while and it was clear so there was no reason to rush. My son was born 13 hours later via emergency C-section.
My water was broken for me minutes before I started pushing...I pushed for about 30 minutes and out came my son.
My water broke in the middle of the night and I didn't even have contractions. We went to our doctors appointment that morning and I told them, they checked then sent me to the hospital. Ending up having to be put on pitocin to start my contractions.
My water broke when I was 2 cm dilated. FUN! I wasn't even in labor for three hours after that. It sucked because I was induced and they wouldn't let me up much after that. I actually heard it pop and then GUSH!
Well... as a paramedic, I can say it's not usually a 911 situation. Granted, if this is not your first pregnancy, it could be, as labor progresses faster if it's not your first time. Also, as it said above, if it's green or dark brown, the baby could have problems. But, usually you have some time to get to the hospital.
In both of my pregnancies the doctor broke my water to induce, and it was the most disgusting feeling - a large whoosh of warm liquid. Ugh.
Rupturing in itself isn't an "emergency," but mom really should be informed on what to look for and keep herself low-risk. Moms can investigate if their situation warrants induction (which often leads to cesarean if baby isn't ready to be evicted).
With some info, moms might discover their chances for warding off infection by inducing is not any greater than awaiting spontaneous labor. Some info suggests waiting will decrease moms risks. (Her body develops antibodies.)
Mine broke at term, 8 days prior to labor (contractions) starting which is called "PROM." I had expected to have the baby sometime soon, but instead, I walked around the same as always, just gushing into maxi pads.
With my next birth the bag almost didn't break at all--- it happened with the baby's crowning head, almost the opposite experience!
My labor was induced, so I was having contractions, walking, etc. When I got in the delivery room they broke my water for me (a little hook that goes in and breaks it; it wasn't painful at all for me, just kind of gross because the rest of my labor was spent on that bed lol!). I was in labor for 13 hours, but since I had an epidural I could sleep through some of it.
With my first, my water broke about 4 hours before actual labor started. With my second, my water broke about 45 minutes before I had the baby, 20 minutes after labor started. She was quick.