You must have seen a pregnant mother's water bag suddenly break with a loud noise and a lot of water gushing out. But in real life, this is not what happens most of the time. Many people feel this as something that happens gradually. However, as a mother-to-be, it is very important for you to be fully aware of this. So, let's talk about this simply today.
What does it mean when the water bag breaks?
Simply put, your baby is inside your womb, inside a bag filled with water. We call this the amniotic sac. The amniotic fluid inside this bag is what keeps your baby safe and comfortable inside your womb. Think about it, this bag of water gives your baby room to turn, move, and grow well. It also helps keep your baby's body temperature at a constant level and keeps the umbilical cord from getting tangled.
When your body is ready to deliver your baby, this bag of waters bursts. Then the fluid inside it starts to leak out through your vagina. This is what we call "breaking your waters" or "breaking your water." This can happen before labor begins, or it can happen during labor.
Typically, about 10% of mothers who are about to give birth experience a rupture of the membranes before labor begins. This condition is medically known as Prelabor Rupture of Membranes (PROM).
How does it feel when the water breaks?
This experience is different for everyone. You might feel something like this:
- Sudden, heavy discharge: It may feel as if you have urinated through your clothes.
- Constant leaking: You may feel like you are constantly leaking fluid.
- Drip: You may feel like the liquid is slowly dripping out.
- Intermittent bleeding: The bleeding may start, stop for a while, and then start again.
Sometimes you may hear a "click" sound from inside the womb, or it may feel like something is exploding. The most important thing to remember is that amniotic fluid does not smell like urine . It is often odorless, sometimes with a slightly sweet smell.
| Attribute | Amniotic fluid (water in the bag of waters) | Urine ( urine ) |
|---|---|---|
| Smell | It is usually odorless. It may have a slightly sweet smell. | Has a characteristic odor similar to ammonia. |
| Color | It is usually colorless (like water). It may appear pink with a little blood or white particles. | It can range from light yellow to dark yellow. |
| Flow | The flow continues uncontrollably. The flow may increase when coughing or standing. | It can usually be controlled and stopped. |
What should you do if your water breaks?
If you have the slightest suspicion that your water has broken, the first and most important thing to do is to call your doctor or midwife. Don't panic, stay calm.
The doctor will tell you what to do. He will often tell you to come to his office, or he will tell you to go straight to the hospital. When you go, use a pad. Never use a tampon.
When you go to the hospital, if it's not clear whether your water has actually broken, they will take a sample of the fluid that flows from you and do a simple test to confirm it.
If this happens within about 3 weeks of your due date, your doctor may tell you to wait a few hours to see if your magema starts to dilate. Or he or she may decide to induce labor. For most mothers, labor begins within 12 hours of the water breaking.
Some studies have shown that babies born to mothers who induce labor after their waters break are less likely to develop infections. They also need less intensive care and can go home from the hospital sooner. But the best decision to make about this is to talk to your doctor.
What if the water breaks early? (Early Water Breaking)
About 3% of pregnant women experience their water breaking before 37 weeks of pregnancy. This is called Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes (PPROM). This is a condition that requires some concern. There are several factors that can increase the risk of this.
- If you are underweight
- If you smoke.
- If this has happened in a previous pregnancy
- If you have an untreated urinary tract infection
- If you have vaginal bleeding during pregnancy
- If there was any problem with the cervix
If PPROM occurs, you should be hospitalized immediately.
What happens at the hospital?
- If you are 34 weeks or older: Your doctor may decide to deliver your baby to reduce the risk of infection for you or your baby.
- If you are between 23 and 34 weeks: Delaying delivery is usually done to give the baby more time to grow in the womb. You will be given antibiotics to prevent infection. You will also be given steroids to help the baby's lungs mature faster. You will probably need to stay in the hospital until the baby is born.
- If you are less than 23 weeks: This is a very sensitive time. Your doctor will talk to you openly about the risks and benefits of continuing the pregnancy. This is because if your waters break this early, the chances of the baby surviving are low. Even if they survive, they are at high risk of developing mental or physical disabilities.
What if the water bag didn't break even though it was wet?
Sometimes, if you've started labor but your labor is progressing slowly, your doctor can help you break your water. This is called an amniotomy. In this procedure, a special instrument, such as a sterile, plastic hook, is inserted through your vagina and the doctor breaks the amniotic sac. To do this, the baby's head must be well down the birth canal and covering your cervix. Otherwise, you can wait until your body completes the labor on its own.
Take-Home Message
- Some people may feel the water breaking suddenly, while others may feel the fluid leaking out gradually.
- The liquid that comes out of it doesn't have a strong smell like urine. That's how you can tell the difference.
- If you have the slightest suspicion that your water bag has broken, don't panic, call your doctor immediately.
- If your water breaks prematurely (before 37 weeks), it is an emergency. Go to the hospital immediately.
- Don't worry. There is a trained medical staff to help you in all these situations. Discuss everything with the doctor and follow his instructions.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 🧐 What is Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE)? Is this something that happens when the water breaks?
This is a very rare condition, occurring in about four to five out of every hundred thousand pregnancies. When the water breaks, the fluid or baby's cells inside the bag mix with the mother's blood, causing a severe allergic-like reaction. Don't be alarmed by this, as the chances of this happening are very low.
💬 😰 How do you know when your water breaks? Can it be prevented?
There's really no way to stop this in advance, but when your water breaks, you're in the hospital, so doctors will monitor you closely. If you suddenly develop symptoms like shortness of breath or low blood pressure, the hospital staff is ready to treat you immediately. So don't panic unnecessarily.
💬 🩺 Should I be very worried about Amniotic Fluid Embolism if my water breaks?
Oh no! The water breaking is a very common thing that happens when the baby is about to be born. This embolism is a very rare condition all over the world, so don't worry about it. All you have to do is not panic when the water breaks and go to the hospital immediately. Then there are doctors who can deal with any situation.
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