Blood when your waters break

A small streak can occur as the cervix changes, but fresh red blood, ongoing bleeding, or heavily blood-stained fluid can signal a problem that cannot be judged safely at home. Contact your maternity unit now and follow its instructions.

Amniotic fluid is usually clear or pale. Mucus with a little blood can be a cervical show as labour approaches. More obvious bleeding may come from the cervix or placenta, while green or brown fluid may indicate that the baby has passed meconium. An examination is needed to distinguish these possibilities.

If the waters break before labour is expected, preterm labour may present with fluid leakage, tightening, pelvic pressure, backache, or bleeding. The timing in pregnancy changes the care plan, so tell the maternity team how many weeks pregnant you are.

Put on a clean pad, note the time, colour, smell, and approximate amount of fluid, and pay attention to the baby's usual movements. Avoid tampons, sex, and putting anything into the vagina. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint, have substantial bleeding, or are in severe pain.

The maternity unit may ask about contractions, movement, pain, fever, and the pregnancy's gestation. Keep your pregnancy records and medicine list ready, but do not delay the call while collecting them.

Call emergency services for heavy bleeding, severe constant abdominal pain, collapse, marked weakness, or an urge to push when birth appears imminent. Tell the maternity unit immediately about reduced or absent baby movements, a visible cord or body part, fever, foul-smelling fluid, green or brown fluid, or regular painful contractions.

Ask whether the membranes have ruptured, where the bleeding appears to come from, and how the baby's wellbeing will be checked. You can also ask whether labour has started, whether infection monitoring is needed, and what changes should be reported while you are being observed.