Signs your water may be about to break

Some people notice pressure, increased discharge, a mucus show, or contractions before the membranes rupture. Others have no warning. Amniotic fluid is often watery and may continue to leak when you change position, unlike ordinary discharge. Urine can also leak in pregnancy, so colour, smell, and whether the fluid keeps coming can help your maternity team assess it.

Put on a clean maternity pad and note when the wetness began, its colour, and its smell. Do not use tampons or have vaginal sex until you have received advice. Contact your maternity unit for instructions, even if the leak is small or contractions have not started. Keep track of your baby’s movements and follow the assessment plan you are given.

Call your maternity unit urgently for green or brown fluid, fresh bleeding, fever, severe abdominal pain, reduced movements, or feeling unwell. If you are less than full term and fluid is leaking, prompt assessment matters because early membrane rupture can be associated with preterm labour. Seek emergency help if you feel the cord or a part of the baby at the vaginal opening.

Ask where to attend for a fluid check, what colour or smell should prompt immediate contact, how to monitor movements, and what to do if the pad becomes wet again after assessment.