Spontaneous Rupture of Membranes (also known as…water breaking) can happen during any stage of labor.
A few important things to note when your water breaks:
Time of rupture: Your amniotic sac is the only barrier between baby and outside world. Without that barrier baby is susceptible to infection. It is typically recommended that you go to the hospital once your water breaks. Waiting at home for hours or even days can lead to harm for you and baby. If your water has broken for too long and you start to have a fever your doctor or nurse midwife may start you on antibiotics.
Odor: When your water breaks there shouldn’t be any odor.
This can also indicate an infection. Therefore you and baby may be treated with antibiotics.
Color: The color of the water should be clear.
Green indicates baby may have passed meconium (stool).
Amount: This indicates and gives a better idea of if it’s really mom’s water that broke or maybe accidental urine.
Scant, Small, Moderate, or Large
Only 10-15% of women actually break their bag of water before starting labor. The other 85-90% break their water either preterm, during labor, at delivery, or sometimes (in rare occasions) baby can delivery with the bag intact.
For many different reasons sometimes your doctor may feel it is medically necessary to break you bag of water. This is called Artificial Rupture of Membranes.
If you are ever wondering if you water really broke it is better to be seen at the doctor’s office or hospital rather than to sit at home and wait/wonder.
For more information about your water breaking you can check out my YouTube Channel and video about this topic! As always… SUBSCRIBE!!!
