Water breaking: what should you do?
A sudden gush or a slow trickle: here's how to recognize your water breaking and what to do once it happens.
Water breaking happens when the amniotic sac surrounding the baby tears. It can show up as a sudden gush of clear, mild-smelling fluid, or as a steady trickle that's sometimes mistaken for urine leaking.
It can happen before contractions start, during labor, or be done deliberately by your care team (an amniotomy) to help labor along. In about 8% of full-term pregnancies, the water breaks before contractions begin.
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It's recommended to contact your healthcare provider as soon as you suspect your water has broken, noting the time, the color (clear, green-tinged, or blood-tinged) and the smell of the fluid — these details help assess the situation.
Once the membranes have ruptured, the risk of infection rises slightly over time, which is why most care teams recommend heading to your place of birth within a few hours, even if contractions haven't started yet, and avoiding intercourse or baths in the meantime.
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This information is general and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional (doctor, midwife, nurse, pharmacist). Every situation is unique: always check with them before making a decision. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency services.
