Pregnancy: What To Expect When Your Water Breaks?

Each woman experiences pregnancy and delivery differently. When you are close to your due date, one of the important signs of delivery is the breaking of water. In the uterus, the baby is inside a sac called the amniotic sac and it contains the amniotic fluid. Water break is when the membranes of the amniotic sac rupture as an indication for labor to start. Dr. Puja Sharma, one of the best doctors for normal delivery in Delhi, will be with you throughout the process until you meet your new baby.

Table of Content

Feel free to skip ahead if one topic catches your eye:

1. What are the signs of water breaking?
2. What to expect when your water breaks?
3. How to start contractions after a water break?
4. What to do if your water breaks early?
5. What if your water doesn’t break?
6. Normal Delivery in Delhi

Take Away

1. What are the signs of Water breaking?

• Water break during pregnancy is an indication that the labor is about to start sooner or later.
• When the membranes of the amniotic sac rupture, the amniotic fluid leaks. 
• When this happens, it is better to make sure with your doctor that it is an amniotic fluid leak as urine and other vaginal discharge may also look similar. This is referred to as “ water breaking” or water bag pregnancy leaking.
• If you are unsure if it's amniotic fluid or any other discharge, Dr. Puja Sharma, the best doctor for normal delivery in Delhi is here to help.

What you may experience when your water breaks:

• You feel like you have suddenly wet your pants
• The leak seems continuous 
• You may feel a mild popping sensation

Look out for these signs of water bag break and see the doctor, if still in doubt.

Water break during pregnancy may look similar to a urine leak or vaginal discharge.

•  It is important to differentiate between the signs of leaking amniotic fluid vs discharge. 
• Vaginal discharge looks like mucus and it is sticky. 
•  Amniotic fluid is watery and colourless.
•  To be sure, use a sanitary pad or a panty liner in your underwear. 
• Observe the fluid after about 30 minutes. 
• If it is yellow, it is probably urine. If it is not, it could be amniotic fluid. 
• The colour of water breaking in pregnancy is an important indicator.

Remember the COAT acronym:

• C- Colour of the fluid- It may be blood-tinged or pink, or green when the baby’s stools have mixed with the amniotic fluid. Go to the hospital as soon as possible.
• O- The odour of the liquid- The usual smell is not unpleasant. If it's unpleasant, it could be a sign of infection.
• A- Amount of the fluid- Note if it was a trickle or a gush
• T- The time of discharge- It is not safe for the baby to stay inside more than 24 hours after the water has leaked.

The water break during pregnancy happens because of the contractions or the baby putting pressure on the amniotic sac.

| Also Read: Pregnancy after miscarriage: What to expect? |

2. What to Expect When Your Water Breaks?

When you have a water break during pregnancy, you may feel a wet sensation in the area between your vagina and the anus.

The baby in a water bag is the amniotic sac filled with amniotic fluid. In case water breaks at home, you may wonder after water breaks how long a baby can survive? 

It is not safe for the baby to stay inside for a long time after the water breaks. This increases the risk of infection.

What you need to do:

• Relax and prepare yourself for labour
• Watch the frequency of contractions
•  Have light food and get the strength you will need to push the baby out
• Pack your hospital bag if it isn’t ready yet
• Staying hydrated will help you through the process of labor
• Practice deep breathing - This will help you when your nurse wants you to push.
• Nipple stimulation through rubbing and rolling helps to release oxytocin that will contract the uterus and make delivery easier.

3. How to Start Contractions after a Water Break?

If your water bag has broken, and contractions haven’t started yet, you may:

• Wait - if you are more than 37 weeks, wait for 24 hours after getting a doctor’s opinion
• Natural labor induction - through nipple stimulation, breast pump, etc
• Take a walk

4. What to do if your water breaks early?

If you are less than 34 weeks and your water breaks, it is called PROM or premature rupture of membranes. Causes of water breaking early in pregnancy are

• Previous history of having a preterm baby
• Too much amniotic fluid
• Vaginal, cervical, or uterine infections
• Smoking
• Multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets)

Your doctor will examine you to confirm that the membranes have ruptured and take a look at your cervix to see if it's ready for delivery. Dr. Puja Sharma,one of the best gynecologist surgeons in Delhi, will be able to assess what should be done if you have PROM.

The water level during pregnancy plays an important role. If the level of amniotic fluid drops below a dangerous level, then immediate medical attention is required.

| Also Read: Do You Know About Hypertension in Pregnancy?|

5. What if Your Water Doesn't Break?

If you have crossed 37 weeks, and the water hasn't broken yet, visit your doctor for checkup as it is not mandatory for the water bag to break before labour in every pregnancy. Sometimes labour pain may start without a water leak. Step in to visit, Dr. Puja Sharma, one of the best gynaecologist surgeon in Delhi to decide what option is the best for you and also receive pre and post-delivery care in Delhi.

6. Normal delivery in Delhi

A normal delivery in Delhi may cost anywhere between Rs 65000 to Rs 2,50,000. The cost of delivery depends upon the reputation of the hospital, the skill, and expertise of the doctor, the level of ambiance provided, the choice of accommodation, etc.

Take Away

Dr. Puja’s Clinic provides the most updated and upgraded services of women’s health issues in screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Dr. Puja’s Daksh Clinic in Delhi believes that “ a woman’s health is her biggest asset” and offers tailor made treatment solutions to meet the specific needs of every woman. The facility adopts a comprehensive and integrated approach in obstetric care, gynecological issues, laparoscopy, high-risk pregnancies, and more.