What to do if your waters break before a planned C-section

Do not wait for regular contractions. Your team needs to confirm whether the membranes have ruptured, check you and your baby, and decide when the caesarean should take place.

Amniotic fluid may appear as a sudden gush or a continuing trickle that you cannot control. It is often clear or pale, but the colour and smell matter. Urine and vaginal discharge can feel similar, so an assessment may be needed rather than trying to diagnose the fluid yourself.

Ruptured membranes do not automatically prevent a caesarean birth. The timing and plan depend on why the operation was arranged, whether labour has begun, the baby's position and wellbeing, and whether there are signs of infection or another complication.

Note when the leaking started and describe the fluid's colour, smell and amount. Use a sanitary pad rather than a tampon, avoid intercourse, and bring your maternity notes and hospital bag if the unit asks you to come in. Follow its advice about eating and drinking because anaesthesia may be needed.

If you know you carry group B streptococcus, have been told the baby is not head-down, or have another pregnancy complication, mention this during the call. Do not drive yourself if contractions are strong, you feel faint, or the team has advised emergency transport.

Call emergency services if there is heavy bleeding, severe constant abdominal pain, collapse, breathing difficulty, or you can see or feel the umbilical cord in the vagina. If a cord is visible, do not touch or push it back; follow the emergency call handler's positioning instructions.

Contact the maternity unit urgently if the fluid is green, brown, bloody or foul-smelling, your baby is moving less than usual, you have fever or feel unwell, or contractions are becoming frequent and intense. These signs require prompt assessment regardless of the planned delivery date.

Ask where to attend, whether you should stop eating or drinking, how the reason for your planned caesarean affects timing, and what monitoring you and your baby will receive. You can also ask what may change if labour progresses before the operating theatre is ready.