What is breaking water and how to recognize it?
One of the most anticipated and sometimes dreaded moments in pregnancy is when your water breaks. While it's usually a clear sign that labor is approaching, many new moms (and some not-so-first-timers, too!) aren't entirely clear about what exactly it is, how it feels, or how to tell it apart from other fluids. In this MilkyNest post we explain with rigor and empathy what it means to break water, how to recognize it and what to do if it happens to you.
What does it mean to break water?
Water breaking is the colloquial name given to the rupture of the amniotic sac, a membrane that contains the amniotic fluid that surrounds and protects the baby during pregnancy. When this sac ruptures, fluid begins to flow out of the vagina.
This phenomenon is medically called spontaneous rupture of membranes and usually indicates that labor is near, although it does not always occur just before contractions begin.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), about 10% of women break their water before going into labor (ACOG, 2020).
Breaking your water can take you by surprise: knowing how to identify it will give you security.
How does it feel to have your water break?
Breaking water is not always experienced as in the movies, where suddenly a torrent falls in the middle of the supermarket. The reality is that it can present itself in very different ways. Some women feel a warm stream, others simply notice a constant drip.
The key is to observe the following characteristics:
"I felt an internal 'pop', like a bubble bursting, and then a hot liquid running down my legs. It didn't hurt, but I knew it was that."
How to recognize if your water has really broken?
- The liquid is clear, watery, and usually odorless (although it sometimes smells slightly sweet).
- You can't control the output, unlike urine.
- The output can be continuous or intermittent, depending on the baby's position and whether the rupture is high or low.
- It may contain small white particles, which are remnants of vernix (a white substance that protects the baby's skin).
If you have doubts, a professional can do a simple test (nitrazine test or crystallization test) to confirm if it is amniotic fluid.
What to do if your water breaks?
If you suspect that your water has broken, the most important thing is to stay calm and observe some details:
- Color of the liquid: if it is transparent or slightly pink, it is normal. But if it is green or brown, it could indicate that the baby has expelled meconium (his first poop) and it is necessary to go immediately.
- Quantity: even if it is not a strong stream, if the dripping is constant, it is probably the broken bag.
- If you are already full-term (more than 37 weeks): contact your midwife or gynaecologist. In many cases, you will be told to go to the hospital even if you do not have contractions, as there is a risk of infection if many hours pass since the rupture.
- If you are not at term: go to the hospital without delay, as it is an obstetric emergency.
According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH), if labor does not begin within 24 hours after breaking, induction may be necessary to reduce the risk of infection.
What if I don't realize that my water broke?
Sometimes the break is so slight that the woman only notices a slight increased flow or a feeling of constant wetness. In these cases, it is advisable to consult your midwife or health center, since if the water has been broken for many hours without realizing it, there is a greater risk of infections (such as chorioamnionitis).
There are also cases of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) before week 37, requiring immediate medical attention. The Spanish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (SEGO) has specific protocols to act in these cases
Guidance information