What should you know about premature water break?

The fluid may be a sudden gush or a small, ongoing leak that feels different from urine or ordinary vaginal discharge. It can be difficult to confirm at home. A maternity team may examine you, check the fluid, and assess you and the baby. If the waters break before the pregnancy is full term, this is called preterm prelabour rupture of membranes and can be associated with early labour or infection.

Put on a clean maternity pad, note the colour, smell, and approximate time of the fluid, and avoid tampons or putting anything into the vagina until you have advice. Do not drive yourself if you feel unwell. Call your maternity unit or urgent pregnancy service and explain how far along the pregnancy is, whether the fluid is continuous, and whether you have contractions, bleeding, pain, or reduced movements.

Seek urgent maternity help immediately for heavy bleeding, severe or constant abdominal pain, fever or chills, foul-smelling fluid, green or brown fluid, regular contractions, feeling faint, or reduced baby movements. These signs need prompt assessment because they can indicate infection, labour, bleeding, or a problem affecting the baby.

Ask whether the membranes have definitely ruptured, how the baby is being monitored, what symptoms should trigger an immediate return, and whether you need treatment or observation. Ask how to protect against infection and when follow-up will occur.