What should you know about prolonged rupture membranes?

The membranes form the fluid-filled sac around the baby. When they rupture before labour, fluid may come as a gush or as a persistent trickle that is difficult to distinguish from urine or normal discharge. The timing of the leak, pregnancy stage, colour and smell of the fluid, temperature, and the baby's movements help clinicians decide what care is needed. If the membranes break before labour and before the pregnancy is ready for birth, this can be linked with preterm labour; read more about [Preterm Labour](/conditions/preterm-labour/).

Contact your maternity unit or obstetric team as soon as you notice possible leaking. Use a sanitary pad, note when the wetness began, and observe the fluid's colour and smell. Avoid putting anything in the vagina, including tampons, and avoid sex until assessed. Your team may check whether the fluid is amniotic fluid, assess you and the baby, and discuss monitoring, antibiotics, steroids, or birth timing according to your situation.

Seek urgent maternity care for fever or chills, feeling suddenly unwell, abdominal or back pain, regular contractions, bleeding, green or unpleasant-smelling fluid, reduced baby movements, or anything coming through the vagina that could be the cord. Do not wait for contractions if you think your waters have broken; infection and cord problems need rapid assessment.

Ask: How will you confirm the membranes have ruptured? What signs of infection should I watch for? How will you monitor the baby's wellbeing? What is the plan if labour does not start? Which activities, bathing arrangements, and medicines are suitable while I am being monitored?