You’re just several days before your expected due date. By now, you must be getting all ready for the life-changing experience of giving birth. You’re soon going to be a certified mom!
There must be a lot of questions running through your head. One of the most common questions pregnant women would ask is how their bag of water will break. Will it break without contractions? When will it break? Does it hurt?
There are so many questions women have about labor and giving birth, so it’s important to ask your OB/GYN anything that is on your mind!
- When will your water break?
The bag of membranes or sac of waters, also known as amniotic fluid can break at any point prior to or during labor- even during the actual birth of the baby. This is a great indicator to know when you’re supposed to go to the hospital! Once your water breaks, make sure you go right away!
- What’s it like when it breaks?
When your bag of water ruptures, this is already a sign of pre-labor. Sometimes, the fluid gushes or comes in a slow trickle or leak. It is different for every woman.
- Gush of fluid vs. slow leak
For some women, it comes as a big gush of liquid. This usually happens with the contraction of the uterus. This is common when the baby’s head is not fully engaged and it rests on the mother’s cervix.
However, some women will only experience a trickle or leak. This usually occurs when there is minimal or in rare cases, absence of contractions. The bag of water only has a tiny opening which enables the amniotic fluid to slowly leak- for several hours or even days! The water dribbles away intermittently as it moves from you or your baby. When your baby’s head is resting snugly over the cervix, it may only allow small amounts of fluids to drain away.
Women who experience a slow leak would might get confused if the fluid is urine or amniotic fluid. In order to determine whether it is urine of amniotic fluid, try to put on a pad and see if you continue to secrete fluid even after you have emptied your bladder. The smell of the amniotic fluid is also different from that of urine. It is odorless or smells like almond or alkaline/chlorine.
- When to call your OB/GYN
If you’re not sure whether your bag of water already ruptured, contact your health care provider. If your bag of water ruptures and your baby is not yet due (before 37 weeks), call your doctor immediately, regardless of whether you experience contractions or not, as your baby might be premature. Keep any tissues, underwear, or sanitary pads with the fluid on them to show your doctor in case you notice a discoloration (yellow, green) which could be meconium.
We wait so long for this day to come, and when it does, it’s normal to feel a little anxious or even frightened. Every woman experiences a different pregnancy so it’s hard to take advice or the opinions of others. If ever you have questions, ask your OB/GYN! They are there for support and guidance along the way!
TIP: If you have a baby that’s due shortly, be sure you have all of the items a newborn needs! This will keep you from getting overwhelmed later, and will have you ready for their coming!
