Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

Water breaks when the amniotic sac weakens and stretches due to natural changes in the body and the baby's growth, which eventually causes the sac to rupture.

If your water has been broken for a long time, it can increase the risk of infections in both mom and baby, as well as causing other complications.

When the amniotic sac breaks too soon, the baby can be born early and face risks such as infections, breathing problems, and other complications related to being premature.

Signs of a rupture of membranes include a sudden gush or ongoing leak of clear, watery fluid, a consistent feeling of wetness, and sometimes just a change in your usual vaginal discharge.

When your waters break slowly, you may notice a gentle and continuous flow of clear, watery fluid that dampens your clothes rather than a sudden, heavy gush.

Trickling waters feel like a slow, steady leak of fluid instead of a strong, sudden gush.

Your doctor will do a physical exam and do special tests—like a nitrazine or fern test—to check if the fluid coming out is amniotic fluid, which would mean your water has broken.

Before your water breaks, you might feel pressure in your lower belly, notice a gentle trickle of fluid, or experience light contractions.

Water breaking is usually felt as a sudden gush or continuous leak of warm, clear fluid, which is different from the normal thick or sticky vaginal discharge felt during pregnancy.

Premature rupture of membranes can occur due to infections, inflammation, or weakness in the membranes. Sometimes other health issues in the mother or baby add to the risk.

Complications from premature rupture of membranes can include infections for the mother and problems for the baby such as breathing difficulties and other issues related to being born too early.

The sensation that your water may be about to break can come from changes in your body, sometimes due to small leaks or early signs of labor, and even environmental factors like shifts in barometric pressure.

A typical nursing diagnosis for a patient with premature rupture of membranes is "Risk for Infection" because the broken membranes can allow germs to enter and cause complications.

During pregnancy, about one out of every ten women at term experiences spontaneous rupture of membranes, and around three out of every one hundred pregnancies have a preterm rupture.

Doctors use a few tests to see if your water has broken, like looking for fluid with a speculum exam, testing the fluid’s pH with a nitrazine or fern test, and sometimes using an ultrasound.

Many mothers have shared that the moment their water broke was surprising and came with a mix of emotions, from relief and excitement to nervousness.

Preventive measures include good prenatal care, a healthy diet with adequate minerals and vitamins, and careful management of any infections or other health issues during pregnancy.

If you wake up and suspect your water broke while you were sleeping, it's important to contact your healthcare provider right away to get checked out.

Your healthcare provider can use a physical exam along with tests like the nitrazine test, fern test, or an AmniSure test to check if your water has broken.

Doctors usually perform an artificial rupture of membranes during active labor when the cervix is showing progress, often after it has started to ripen or open up during induction.