i know not every womens water breaks on its own, but i'm kinda worried about how i'll know if mine did break or not. i've heard it can break and be anywhere from a lot of fluid, to just enough to dampen underwear. how am i supposed to know if my water broke, or if its just normal discharge from late pregnancy? (i'm due this coming wednesday)
2006-12-22 07:45:16 · 20 answers · asked by veitedl 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Many women think that their labor will begin with their water breaking and then the contractions. Contrary to popular belief, this is not always the case. Only 15% of pregnant women have the experience of their water breaking unexpectantly. Most women begin with contractions and then their water breaks (fast gush or slow trickle) or the doctor may break it for them.
Even if you are not having contractions and your water breaks (gush or trickle), call your doctor.
How Do Doctors break your water?
The doctors use an instrument that looks sort of like a long crochet needle (with a hook). They insert the needle (not like a metal needle that you get a shot with) very skillfully and break the amniotic bag with the needle. Most of the time the water will gush out and feel very warm. It does not feel like you have urinated. It feels more like someone taking a bucket of very warm water and pouring it in that general area. You may feel like your abdomen is heavier due to the fetus not being supported anymore by the amniotic fluid.
What if my water breaks and I do not have contractions?
If your water breaks and you are not experiencing any contractions, call your doctor. After the membranes have ruptured, contractions are generally felt within 12 and 24 hours later. If you have not experienced signs of labor, other than your water breaking, between 6 and 24 hours, the doctor will induce labor.
Meconium in the amniotic fluid:
Sometimes when the water breaks or the doctor ruptures the membranes, it is stained a brownish or yellowish color. This is meconium in the amniotic fluid. In other words, the fetus has had a bowel movement. This most often occurs if the woman is past due or because of fetal distress.
2006-12-22 07:48:27 · answer #1 · answered by knitterofhats 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I can't speak from total experience, 'cause my water didn't break naturally, but I can say that for me it was a total gush! There is a test the can do at the ER (though I hear it's rather inaccurate) to see if the fluid you leaked is amniotic or not, so if you're really not sure, there's no harm in going to the ER to find out. The worst that can happen is they'll send you home, right?
I won't even tell you to try and relax, b/c once you get to that point it's impossible. I remember my doctor sent me to the hospital right after my last appointment for induction, and I was SOOO excited--until I set foot in the maternity area--then I begged to go home for another week! No matter how many books you read or classes you attend, NOTHING can REALLY prepare you for the real deal!
Best of luck to you!
2006-12-22 15:52:44 · answer #2 · answered by luvablelds 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure you will know and you shouldn't worry...but to answer your question, your amniotic fluid will be just like water in consistency. That means unless you have REALLY watery discharge, you'll know. Also, many women feel a sort of "pop" when their water breaks regardless of whether or not the flow is heavy. Also, if your water breaks, it will be continuous leakage. It won't just stop like discharge will. I know this sounds gross but it's said to smell sweet....so if it smells anything but, then it's probably not amniotic fluid. I don't mean to go off smelling it, but if you happen to be able to smell anything, you'll know. Another thing...if your water breaks, sometimes standing or sitting will make the flow slow down b/c the baby acts as a cork blocking it. If you lay down, the baby will move away from the opening and the fluid will flow more freely.
Trust me, I'm sure you'll know...especially if it's a gush, like mine was. But mine was due to me getting nauseas after 16 hours of pain and I was dry heaving and the pressure forced my water to break and gush. I knew because it was like I spilled a large glass of water all over myself.
Best of luck to you and just be patient. Even if you're late, the baby will come when it needs to! Congrats to you!!!!!!
2006-12-22 15:53:24 · answer #3 · answered by Hootie562 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have a continuous trickle go to the hospital you probably have water broke....even if you are not sure, go in. There is a test they can do to see if it really was your water or not. I went in when I had an episode and the first question they asked is, do you have to wear a pad because of the trickle. I said 'no' and they said my water probably didn't break, and they were right. But if you even 'think' it might have torn a little go in.
If you get the flipside, it's a big gush of water. If you don't have one already, I suggest buying a plastic cover for your bed, so if your water breaks while you are in bed, you don't ruin your mattress.
2006-12-22 16:20:57 · answer #4 · answered by kittynala 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When my water broke, it was literally a gush of fluid...but you're right it can also be a trickle. I learned from my birthing class DVD that when you're water breaks, the fluid should be odorless. Many women in late pregnancy have discharge along with leaking urine so they sometimes mistake that for their water breaking. It may sound gross but if you smell the liquid and there is no odor, chances are it is your fluid that is leaking. I wish you luck and congrats on your new bundle of joy!
2006-12-22 15:51:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you think that your water broke, then there is a swab test that your Doc can do to tell you if you are indeed leaking amniotic fluid.
From my expereince of 3 kids, my water was broken for me the 1st and third times, my second broke as he crowned.
I have found that the best way to describe how it feels is that it feels like a water balloon burst. You can feel a slight pop, then a huge gush. But if your baby is really low, then it is possible that your sac broke, but your baby is essentially being a cork for your fluid.
Either way, good luck and congratulations
2006-12-22 15:51:40 · answer #6 · answered by Jenni 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my water broke with the first child and it was the mucous plug first thick dishcargey plug then my water um youll be able to tell if your water broke because it doesnt stop leaking, i know this will sound groess but its true your discharge you can tell is discharge the water breaking is like you are constantly peeing, but its coming from the vagina, you will know when it breaks, it just wont feel right or it will be a big gush of water from the vagina and you will really know, if you think it has broke and not sure put a pad on and get into the doctor they can test that to see if it was your water. goodluck hope this helps.
2006-12-22 16:53:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My water didn't break until I was well into labor. The doctor broke it at 7 centimeters and there was A LOT of fluid. Gushes and gushes and gushes! I thought that it had broken the night before and was trickling but apparently that was just the last of my plug. You'll know!
2006-12-22 15:52:42 · answer #8 · answered by DawnRenee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I started having contractions around 4 in the morning. I just thought my back hurt because I was sleeping in an uncomfortable position. Around 6 I decided to get up. I took 2 step and I felt a warm liquid running down my leg. It was clear. Wasn't sure what it was. Then I remembered what the Lamaze coach said. "If your are in doubt if your water broke, smell it. If it smells briny, like salt water, then it is probably amniotic fluid. It can be clear or light pink in color". So I smelled it and sure enough it smelled like saltwater.
2006-12-22 16:05:38 · answer #9 · answered by sara c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here is my water-breaking story...
It was 3 weeks before my due date. I had already packed a hospital bag, as I had been advised to by several books. My husband was in bed after a 6-pack. I had just told him, "You really should stop drinking more than a couple beers at a time from now on, because I don't want you to be wasted when I go into labor."
It was about midnight, and I couldn't sleep, so I was reading a book. I had a slight lower back ache, but that was pretty normal at that point, since I was roughly the size of a beluga whale. I had to pee, so I got up (quietly, as not to awaken the lush in bed next to me). When I was peeing, I felt a tiny "extra" rush. By this, I mean it just kind of felt like I suddenly peed a little harder. No biggie, and I really didn't thnik much of it. I got off the potty and headed back to bed. But halfway there, I had liquid running down my leg. I figured I had finally gotten so fat that I had resorted to peeing on myself. Hoorah. I went back to the potty. When I went to get up and it happened again, I became curious. I put a maxi pad on and went back to bed to read. After about 20 minutes, I got back up and went to the bathroom, where I took off the maxi pad and--this is a little gross--smelled it. No kidding. It smelled sweet, like I had been told amniotic fluid smells. So I woke up my husband, and drove us to the hospital so we would not have to forgo my daughter's college fun to pay a bondsman.
Oh, and to answer your Q...the amount of fluid depends...but you'll know, I promise. When it doubt, give it a sniff.
2006-12-22 15:57:33 · answer #10 · answered by Jennifer H 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋