Symptoms of water breaking during pregnancy

The membranes around the baby can rupture before labour begins. Fluid may appear when you stand, walk, cough or change position, and it can be difficult to distinguish from urine or normal vaginal discharge. It is usually watery rather than thick. Note the colour, smell and approximate time it started, but do not wait for contractions before contacting your maternity team.

Use a clean sanitary pad to observe the fluid; avoid tampons, sex and putting anything into the vagina until you have been assessed. Contact your maternity unit or obstetric team promptly. Keep track of baby movements and tell the clinician about bleeding, pain, fever, contractions, fluid colour and your stage of pregnancy.

Seek urgent maternity care if the fluid is green, brown or bloody, has an unpleasant smell, or comes with fever, severe abdominal pain, regular contractions, reduced baby movement or feeling unwell. Fluid loss before term may be linked with [Preterm Labour](/conditions/preterm-labour/), so do not monitor it at home without advice.

Ask how the membranes will be checked, whether you need monitoring, what signs of infection to watch for, and when to return if the leaking continues or labour does not start.