Most women whose waters break before labour starts will go into labour naturally within 24 hours and will give birth to their baby within 48 hours. If your labour does not start within 24 hours of your waters breaking, it is recommended that your labour is started artificially by 'induction'.
In most cases, your healthcare provider will want to deliver your baby within 48 hours of your water breaking, although the timing can vary depending on your medical history and how many weeks you are in pregnancy.
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 advantages of having your water intentionally broken are: It can speed up or progress your labor by bringing your baby down closer to your cervix and increasing contractions. It can help your healthcare provider monitor your baby more closely for distress.
If your cervix has opened up to at least 2-3 centimetres dilated and the baby's head is well engaged (low down in your pelvis), your waters will be broken (see below under Artifical Rupture of Membranes). If it is not possible to break your waters a second Propess pessary may be inserted if appropriate.
You may opt to stimulate labor using natural means. You can try nipple stimulation using your hands, or a breast pump. This helps produce oxytocin, which can help start contractions. 4 If you don't have a breast pump, you can usually get one from a hospital lactation consultant.
If your water breaks, but you have no contractions, your doctor may discuss labor induction with you. Intervention to help bring on contractions can reduce the risk of infection, because this risk increases with time between the water breaking and contractions starting.
If your waters have broken, you will usually be advised to stay in hospital for a few days, although in some situations this may be for longer. You and your baby will be closely monitored for signs of infection.
Is it pee or did my water break? Though many pregnant women leak urine, especially in the third trimester, a sniff will probably clue you in. If the fluid is yellowish and smells of ammonia, it's probably urine. If it doesn't smell or smells sort of sweet, it's probably amniotic fluid.
Does it hurt when my waters break? No, it shouldn't hurt when your waters break or when they are broken for you. The amniotic sac, which is the part that 'breaks' doesn't have pain receptors, which are the things that cause you to feel pain.
For most women, labor begins sometime between week 37 and week 42 of pregnancy. Labor that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy is considered premature, or preterm.
The cervix generally needs to be dilated to 10 centimeters before it's ready for the baby to pass through. Your cervix can be dilated to a couple of centimeters for a few weeks before delivery. This softening can cause the mucus plug to be dislodged and come out.
Some women will feel quite nauseous before they go into labour, some women also feel sick during the labour. Women also may Vomit or have diarrhoea before or during labour.
Losing your mucus plug simply means that your cervix is starting to dilate, and your body is preparing for labor. You may notice a thick, jelly-like discharge that's either clear, off-white, or slightly bloody with a pink, red, or brown hue.
Women feel contractions differently, but early contractions generally begin as a cramp - similar to period pains, or a mild backache. Sometimes it will feel like a tight band around the top of your womb, which can be felt externally by placing a hand on your bump.
Signs of Water Breaking
Some people may feel a trickle of fluid that they can't control or a gush of water downward. Others may feel dampness in their underwear that looks like they've peed or had a heavy vaginal discharge.
Many of these symptoms are due to increased levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which boost blood flow throughout your body to support your baby — including to your labia. As a result, your labia and vagina may experience the following changes: Swelling.
You will be asked to come in to either the birth centre or labour ward for assessment. A midwife will carry out a routine check of you and your baby, which may include a speculum examination and a vaginal swab (similar to a smear test). This is performed to confirm the membranes have ruptured and test for infection.
Sometimes the membranes break before a woman goes into labor. When the water breaks early, it is called premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Most women will go into labor on their own within 24 hours.
If your water breaks, whether you're experiencing contractions or not, go to the hospital. This will help reduce the risk of infection. Note the color, odor and amount of fluid when your water broke.