Rupture of membranes: recognising when your waters break

The fluid may arrive as a sudden gush or a slow, repeated trickle. It is often clear or pale and continues despite tightening the pelvic floor, although it can be difficult to distinguish from urine or vaginal discharge. Rupture can happen before or during labour. When it occurs before contractions, clinicians call it prelabour rupture of membranes; before full term, it may accompany or precede preterm labour.

Maternity staff consider gestational age, the fluid's colour and smell, contractions, fetal movement, and signs of infection. They may check the baby's heartbeat and use a sterile speculum examination to look for amniotic fluid.

Wear a clean sanitary pad rather than a tampon, record when leaking began, and contact your maternity unit for instructions. Notice whether the fluid is clear, blood-stained, green, brown, or unpleasant-smelling. Avoid putting anything into the vagina until assessed. Bring your pregnancy notes and arrange transport, since the team may want to examine you even if contractions have not started.

Call maternity triage immediately if you think your waters have broken, particularly before full term. Report reduced fetal movement, fever, chills, worsening abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, foul-smelling fluid, or green or brown fluid without waiting. If an umbilical cord is visible or felt in the vagina, call emergency services, avoid touching it, and follow the operator's positioning instructions.

Ask whether the membranes are confirmed as ruptured, whether labour or infection is present, and what monitoring is recommended. Find out what happens if contractions do not begin, whether induction is being considered, and how to check fetal movement and temperature if you are allowed home.