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Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, M. Definitions How can you tell at home? Do's and don'ts How can your doctor tell? What is water breaking? How can you tell if your water broke or if you peed?
What tests can your healthcare professional do? During pregnancy, your baby is surrounded and cushioned by a fluid-filled membranous sac called the amniotic sac.
Typically, at the beginning of or during labor your membranes will rupture — also known as your water breaking. If your water breaks before labor starts, it's called prelabor rupture of membranes PROM.
Previously it was known as premature rupture of membranes. 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. It's not always easy to tell if your water has broken.
For example, it might be difficult to tell the difference between amniotic fluid and urine — especially if you only experience a feeling of wetness or a trickle of fluid. If you're uncertain whether your water has broken, call your health care provider or head to your delivery facility right away. Your doctor or a member of your health care team will give you a physical exam to determine if you're leaking amniotic fluid. In some cases, an ultrasound might be done to check your amniotic fluid volume.
You and your baby will be evaluated to determine the next steps. Typically, after your water breaks at term, labor soon follows — if it hasn't already begun. Sometimes, however, labor doesn't start. If you experience prelabor rupture of membranes, your doctor might stimulate uterine contractions before labor begins on its own labor induction.
The longer it takes for labor to start after your water breaks, the greater the risk of you or your baby developing an infection. If your water breaks before the 37th week of pregnancy, it's known as preterm prelabor rupture of membranes preterm PROM.
Risk factors for water breaking too early include:. Potential complications include maternal or fetal infection, placental abruption — when the placenta peels away from the inner wall of the uterus before delivery — and umbilical cord problems. The baby is also at risk of complications due to premature birth. Your water broke but no contractions? What Is Water Breaking?
This can increase the risk for infection and stillbirth Some factors that can lead to preterm PROM include: Being underweight with poor nutrition. Smoking during pregnancy. Those who have already had a preterm birth. Vaginal bleeding during the second and third trimesters. Having a short cervical length. That said, they may recommend: Antibiotics to help prevent infections.
These are the factors that can help you determine if you are experiencing water breaking: Color: If the fluid color is pale and clearer than urine, then it is amniotic fluid. If it has a green or green-yellow color, your baby may have probably had bowel movement, and it is meconium that is causing that color. Odor: Amniotic fluid is odorless, but sometimes it may have a slight sweet smell. Kegel exercises: You can perform some kegel exercises to determine if you experienced water breaking or if it was urine.
Natural Ways to Induce Labor Your waters broke but no contractions? Nipple Stimulation You can stimulate your nipples by using your hands or a breast pump, as this can increase the chances of producing oxytocin which can help start contractions.
Walking Walking can increase pressure on your cervix, which may lead to a contraction. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists , exercising during pregnancy can also help: Relieving stress. Easing constipation.
Decreasing your risk of cesarean delivery. Water breaking: Understand this sign of labor. Merck Manual. Management of normal labor. Labor and birth. Evonne Lack Bradford is an educational writer and an instructional designer.
She lives in North Carolina with her husband and three children. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching documentaries, and pretending she has a green thumb.
Join now to personalize. Photo credit: iStock. The gush or splash The pop The trickle The in-betweener The feeling of relief The unnoticed water break The rude awakening The unstoppable force.
The gush or splash For some moms, the water really does gush out — either in the hospital bed or in a more surprising setting: "A huge gush of fluid went all over the floor.
Weirdest feeling! For others, the pop is audible: "There was a pop, like someone cracking a knuckle, and then a gush. It didn't hurt; it just was suddenly very wet. For some, their labor then gets more intense: "Relief! That's when it was time to push. I felt a huge sense of relief. Sources BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world.
Featured video. Leaking amniotic fluid premature rupture of membranes. Membrane stripping: How it's done and what it's like.
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