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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?
What will happen when your water breaks?
During pregnancy, your baby is surrounded and cushioned by a fluid-filled membranous sac called the amniotic sac. Typically, at the beginning of or during labor your membranes will rupture — also known as your water breaking.
If your water breaks before labor starts, it's called prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM). Previously it was known as premature rupture of membranes.
When your water breaks you might experience a sensation of wetness in your vagina or on your perineum, an intermittent or constant leaking of small amounts of watery fluid from your vagina, or a more obvious gush of clear or pale yellow fluid.
