As the time of delivery approaches, the worries of mothers about the various aspects of the delivery process increase. Water breaking is one of them. Water usually breaks early in the labor process. However, delivery can occur without the water breaking.
A clear understanding of how to recognize water breaking and what to do when water breaks will help make your delivery process easier and more hassle-free.
What does a water break during pregnancy mean?
Inside the womb, the baby grows within a protective sac known as the amniotic sac. Amniotic fluid fills this sac, providing protection and nourishment for your growing baby in the womb. While floating in this sac in the womb, the amniotic fluid not only nourishes your growing baby but also protects them from outside stress and infection.
At the beginning of labor, this sac ruptures on its own, and the water inside it comes out through the birth canal. We know this process as water breaking.
When does the water break during pregnancy?
37 to 42 weeks of pregnancy is considered a normal period of delivery. Normally, the water breaks within this period. Water usually breaks after labor begins.
However, for some, the water may break even before labor begins. If the water breaks before the completion of 37 weeks, it is called ‘Preterm Rupture of Membrane’.
Symptoms of water breaking during pregnancy
Common symptoms of water breaking are:
- When water breaks, your vagina and the area around it may feel wet.
- Your underwear and pajamas may get wet.
- Sometimes a lot of water can come out of the vagina at the same time, but usually when the water breaks, the water starts to come out little by little over a long period.
This water looks clear or light yellow in color.
Does the water break or pee?
Sometimes there can be confusion about whether it is urine or water. One way to dispel the confusion is to smell the water coming out. If the discharge from the vagina has a urine-like odor, that is, ammonia, then it is urine. And if there is no smell or a sweet smell, it is water breaking water.
Does the water break or discharge?
The discharge is usually slightly thick, sticky, and milky white. And the water of breaking water is light yellow or pale in color and a thin liquid.
However, be aware that your ‘ mucus plug’, i.e., the discharge that accumulates in the cervix during pregnancy, may also be released at the same time as the water breaks. It may contain some blood, which is called ‘show’. These occur naturally at the beginning of the labor process. So there is nothing to panic about if this happens.
What to do after your water breaks
It’s normal to feel excited when your water breaks. But try to keep yourself calm and take the next steps properly.
If the water breaks along with labor pains, then it can be assumed that your labor process has started. In that case, go to the hospital or maternity clinic according to your delivery plan.
When should I rush to the hospital?
- If your doctor has warned you about infection during pregnancy, especially if you have been infected with ‘Group B Streptococcus’, try to get to the hospital as soon as your water breaks. If proper measures are not taken, your child may also become infected.
- If the water appears greenish or brown after the water breaks, the amniotic fluid may be mixed with the baby’s first stool or meconium. If this happens, there is a possibility that the unborn baby may ingest meconium-laced water, which may harm the baby. So go to the hospital quickly.
- If there is much bleeding in the water, you should go to the hospital immediately. It is usually normal to have a small amount of blood mixed into the water. However heavy bleeding indicates placental complications, which can be fatal for the unborn baby.
- If a small amount of water comes out, it stops. In this case, there is a risk that your fetus will descend and block the passage of water through its head.
- If you feel something tight in your vagina with water breaking or if you can see part of the pulse in the vagina, If your water breaks before the labor process begins, there is a risk of the ‘umbilical cord’ or pulse dropping down. Doctors refer to this as umbilical cord prolapse.
What to do if labor pains do not occur after the water breaks
If your water breaks at or after 37 weeks of pregnancy and you are not in labor, you can wait 24 hours. Follow some rules while waiting:
- Keep your underwear, vagina, and the area around the vagina clean and dry to reduce the risk of infection.
- Use pads if necessary.
- Avoid intercourse
- When going to the toilet, pay attention to washing the vaginal area from front to back.
However, many people think it is safer to be under the supervision of an experienced doctor at the hospital than to wait at home.
If labor doesn’t start after waiting 24 hours, the doctor may give you some medicine to induce labor artificially. Ex: Oxytocin. The method of artificially starting labor is called ‘labor induction’.
Amniotic fluid contains antibodies that protect the fetus from various pathogens. As a result of water breaking, the unborn child is at risk of infection without this water. Labor induction is performed to deliver the baby early.
If this happens before 37 weeks and after 34 weeks, wait 24-48 hours after the water breaks for labor to start. The healthcare provider usually decides to induce labor with oxytocin if labor does not begin.
What to do if water breaks prematurely during pregnancy
If the water breaks before 34 weeks and there is no labor pain, the condition is called ‘preterm prelabour rupture of membranes’. Before 34 weeks, the fetus usually does not fully develop, during which time its lungs remain immature.
Therefore, if born at this time, the chances of the child living a healthy life are less. For this reason, healthcare providers try to delay the delivery process as much as possible, even if the water breaks before the completion of 34 weeks.
In this case, various measures are taken to delay the delivery process and ensure the health of the unborn baby.
- The expectant mother is kept on bed rest, i.e., complete rest, with toilet facilities.
- Doctors administer steroids like betamethasone or dexamethasone to accelerate lung development in the unborn baby and minimize the severe complications of respiratory distress syndrome. (e.g., betamethasone or dexamethasone)
- Antibiotics are given to prevent infection.
- Medicines called magnesium sulfate may be given to protect the brain and nervous system of the unborn child.
- Pregnant mothers and unborn children should be kept under constant observation.
Frequently Asked Question
37 to 42 weeks of pregnancy is the normal time of delivery. So if the water breaks during this period, it is considered normal.
When the water breaks before the baby is fully developed, saving it becomes challenging. And usually, you can’t wait too long after the water breaks. So if the water breaks in the early stages of pregnancy, the chances of saving the baby are very low.
If your water doesn’t break after labor starts, your doctor can break it artificially. A special device can pump the fluid into the amniotic sac. This procedure is called ‘amniotomy’. This will break the water and allow the labor process to continue.
Written By Dr. Labiba Palin
Medical review done by Dr. Samia Afrin
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