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Water breaking: Understand this sign of labor
What will happen when my water breaks?
How can I be sure my water has broken?
After my water breaks, when will labor begin?
What happens if my water breaks too early?
What if my water doesn't break on its own?
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What will happen when your water breaks?
How can you be sure your water has broken?
After your water breaks, when will labor begin?
What happens if your water breaks too early?
What if your water doesn't break on its own?
After your water breaks, when will labor begin?
Typically, after your water breaks at term, labor soon follows — if it hasn't already begun.
Sometimes, however, labor doesn't start. If you experience prelabor rupture of membranes, your doctor might stimulate uterine contractions before labor begins on its own (labor induction). The longer it takes for labor to start after your water breaks, the greater the risk of you or your baby developing an infection.
