When your water breaks, you may have a steady trickle that makes you feel very damp or a gush of fluid that makes you feel wet. A gush of fluid is easy to identify, but a leak is another matter. If you are unsure, lay down for 10-15 minutes. Before getting up, roll over on each side and then stand up. If your water has broken, the fluid will pool in your vagina, and when you stand up, it will leak out.
Usually, the bag of water breaks during labor. Sometimes it doesn’t doesn’t break until the baby is being born. You will need to wear a sanitary pad, which you should change often. Don’t put anything into the vagina, don’t check your cervix, don’t have sex, and don’t take a bath. Showers are okay. Drink plenty of fluids – 5 to 7 ounces of water or juice every hour you are awake.
TIME
Jot down what time your water broke.
AMOUNT
Look at the amount of water. Near the end of your pregnancy, you could be carrying approximately 2 pints of amniotic fluid. Don’t worry about running out of amniotic fluid. Your body produces it right up to delivery.
COLOR
Check the color of the water. Amniotic fluid is watery and normally clear, but it may be flecked with vernix. However, meconium staining, meaning the baby has had a bowel movement in utero, occurs in about 12 percent of births. If there is meconium, the color could range from yellowish, brownish to green. The consistency could range from a light, translucent appearance to a thick, pea soup appearance.
ODOR
Amniotic fluid smells like fresh, warm, seawater; but, it will also smell of vaginal excretions. If it is urine, it will smell like ammonia.
MOVEMENT
Note your baby’s movements. Your baby should be moving, as usual. If you don’t notice movement right away, eat or drink something sweet and sit still for a little while.
CONTRACTIONS
Notice if you are having contractions and start timing them. Record your contractions on paper or on a contraction App.
Call Your Provider Immediately if Your Water Breaks, and if:
- The amniotic sac ruptures before 37 weeks.
- Your amniotic sac ruptures at term, with or without contractions.
- The fluid looks green, yellow, or brown or has a bad smell.
- You have broken waters, and you are GBS positive
- Your baby’s movements decrease in any 4-hour period.
- You feel something in your vagina, or see any of the umbilical cord at the vaginal opening.
Not Sure If Your Water Broke?
Sometimes when the water breaks, it is not clear cut. That big splash you were expecting doesn’t always happen. Then, the questions begin. Was that a dribble of urine, or was it a little leak?
If you aren’t sure, the provider won’t be sure either until she evaluates you. When you call your provider, she will ask you about the amount. Here’s one way you can play “scientist” with amounts of water:
- Get three sanitary pads out and lay them in a row.
- Get some measuring spoons out.
- Fill a small bowl with some water.
You will pour water on each pad:
- One tablespoon on pad one
- Two tablespoons on pad two
- Four tablespoons on pad three
You will feel a significant difference between one and four tablespoons. Now, if your water is leaking, you will better understand how much you are losing.
