What Should I Do If My Water Breaks?
Did you know that only 10% of labors start with a rupture of membranes - commonly known as broken water?
Our dramatic movie scene representations show us otherwise: huge water balloon gush on the floor, fifteen minutes later a sweaty, screaming delivery and a chubby baby.
Most of the time, a water rupture as a first sign of labor isn’t always definitive. Some ‘high breaks’, as they’re called, happen higher in the uterus, away from the cervix. As the amniotic fluid trickles out, it’s noticed.
Many times, if your water breaks, you’ll think you ‘peed’ yourself!
A tried and true way to figure this out?
Put on a pad and drink a tall glass of water while lying down. Amniotic fluid is linked to your hydration levels and will continue to leak throughout your labor as it regenerates, so a true water break isn’t a one and done show.
After you stand, approximately an hour later, you’ll notice either a soaked pad, or you will have another small gush of the fluid that was pooled in your vagina while you were lying down. These will only happen if it is truly your water.
The only way to know your water has broken, for certain, is to have the fluid tested by your care provider during a cervical or pelvic exam.
Do you need to rush right in when your water breaks?
It depends: how are you feeling, and what indications has your provider given you?
In a healthy, well managed late pregnancy, your doctor or midwife may continue to advise you to come in with active labor contractions, which may or may not be present at the time your water breaks.
If you’re still waiting for labor to begin, don’t stress! Most labors will begin shortly after water has broken, somewhere in the 6-12 hour range.
While you wait, get some rest, drink and hydrate, and do your best to keep emotions in check.
Also, have the following information on hand for when you do go to your birthing location:
Note the Color of the amniotic fluid. If it is clear, or tinged with bloody or pink mucus, great! Your cervix is beginning to change. If it is greenish brown, it may be an indication your baby has had his/her first bowel movement in utero, and would be a reason to call your care provider for closer monitoring of baby.
Note the Odor of the fluid. Did it have a sweet, or odorless smell? Normal (and hard to tell!) If it smells foul or strong, it may indicate infection and would be a call to the doc or midwife.
Note the Amount of fluid. Was it a trickle? A gush?
Note the Time you believe your water to have broken. As previously stated, if it truly is your water, you’ll need to keep a casual eye on the clock to monitor when your early labor contractions begin.
Many times our expectations of how labor should begin are built on dramatic fantasies played out on television. Armed with the right information, you’ll be able to give yourself a great, calmer head start when and if your water breaking is the first thing you experience in your labor!
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