Trickle Water Break: What to Know

When the membranes around the baby rupture, fluid may come out as a sudden gush, a damp feeling or a slow repeated leak. It can be difficult to tell amniotic fluid from urine or normal discharge at home. Fluid from the waters is often watery and may continue despite emptying your bladder, but appearance alone cannot confirm the cause.

The timing of the leak in pregnancy changes the assessment. A leak before labour or before the pregnancy has reached term can raise concern for preterm labour and infection, even when there is no pain or contraction.

Contact your maternity unit or obstetric team promptly and explain when the wetness began, its colour and whether it is continuing. Wear a clean maternity pad to observe the fluid; do not use a tampon. Avoid putting anything into the vagina, including sex, until a clinician has assessed you.

Take your pregnancy notes and follow the unit's instructions about where to attend. Do not wait for contractions before seeking advice. A maternity professional may check your temperature, the baby's wellbeing and whether the membranes have ruptured.

Seek urgent maternity help if the fluid is green, brown or bloody, you have fever or feel unwell, the baby is moving less, contractions are regular, or you have significant abdominal pain. Treat a suspected leak before term as urgent because it may be linked with Preterm Labour.

Ask: Could this be amniotic fluid? How will you check? What symptoms should make me return immediately? Can I bathe, have sex or travel while waiting? How will the plan change if the leak happened before term?