It can cause complications such as:. When PPROM occurs at 34 weeks of pregnancy or later, a doctor may recommend delivering the baby to reduce the risk of complications. However, if there is no indication of infection, they may allow the pregnancy to continue, under careful monitoring, until labor begins. When PPROM occurs before 34 weeks, the doctor will try to delay delivery to allow the fetus to develop further. They may also administer other medications.
The water breaks when the amniotic sac ruptures. The fetus is inside this sac and surrounded by the fluid, which protects them from injury. It is necessary for the sac to rupture so that the baby can be born. Medical professionals may sometimes artificially break the sac if it does not break naturally.
Experts do not fully understand how the water breaks, but it may have something to do with brain signals from the fetus. Occasionally, it can break when the fetus moves into the pelvis in preparation for labor and their head puts pressure on the membranes. Sometimes, contractions can begin hours after the membranes rupture.
If contractions do not begin within a certain timeframe, however — usually 24 hours — a healthcare provider may induce labor to reduce infection risk. Once the water breaks, it is vital to follow the instructions of the doctor or midwife.
If a woman is unsure of what to do, they should contact their healthcare provider or go to their labor and delivery unit. Women should take care to avoid infection during this time. They should use a pantyliner or pad to soak up the amniotic fluid, and they should avoid the use of tampons. It is also important to wipe carefully from front to back after using the bathroom and to avoid sexual intercourse after the water breaks. Women should call their doctor immediately or go straight to the hospital or delivery unit if the membranes rupture and:.
If the water does not break during labor, a doctor or midwife may artificially break the sac using a technique called an amniotomy. An amniotomy involves inserting a thin, plastic hook through the cervix to break the amniotic sac, allowing the fluids to exit.
Most of the time, this happens spontaneously. At other times, a healthcare professional may artificially rupture the membranes. Sometimes, it might not happen until right as the baby is being born. A woman may experience a sudden gush or a slow trickle of fluid.
However, in some cases, your amniotic sac doesn't break and your gynecologist may have to induce it. This usually occurs in pregnant people who have reached 41 weeks of pregnancy. In others, the membranes may break before labor. This is called premature rupture of membranes. Most will go into labor on their own within 24 hours of their water breaking.
The earlier your water breaks, the more serious it is for you and your baby. Others may feel dampness in their underwear that looks like they've peed or had a heavy vaginal discharge. The difference between amniotic fluid and urine lies in their odor and color. While urine has a pungent smell, amniotic fluid is odorless or mildly sweet-smelling.
Also, amniotic fluid is rather pale and straw-colored, but vaginal discharge is usually thin and white. If you notice fluid leaking, use a pad to absorb some of it. Look at it and smell it to distinguish between urine and amniotic fluid. The amniotic fluid will flow down more while you're standing if your water has broken. It may flow continuously over a period of time. If you think your water has broken, call your healthcare provider immediately. Normally, your water will break during labor.
However, sometimes your water can break before you go into labor. When your water breaks early, it's called premature rupture of membranes PROM. Your water usually breaks when you have reached 39 weeks of pregnancy. The cause of PROM is unknown in most cases.
Some causes or risk factors can include:. It's important to note that most people whose water breaks before labor do not have a risk factor. Your water must break before your baby can be delivered.
Contractions in your womb can be delayed for a few hours after your amniotic sac breaks. Sometimes your water breaks when your baby moves their head into the pelvic region in preparation for labor, which puts pressure on the membrane as they prepare for labor.
The uterus keeps making amniotic fluid until the baby's birth. So you may still feel some leaking, especially right after a hard contraction. Pregnant people need to take certain precautions to avoid contracting infections after their water breaks. Things like changing your sanitary pad every four hours during the day, whether wet or not, are important.
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What causes water to break? What if my water breaks early? My water broke, now what?
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