Water break and contractions

A gush or trickle of fluid suggests the membranes around the baby may have opened. Contractions may then become stronger, longer, and closer together as labour progresses, although the pattern is different for each person. Fluid colour and smell provide useful information: clear or pale fluid is different from green or brown fluid, which needs urgent assessment. Your maternity team may check you, the baby’s heart rate, your temperature, and whether labour is progressing.

Call your maternity unit and tell them when the fluid started, its colour, and how often contractions are occurring. Use a clean pad, not a tampon, and avoid intercourse or inserting anything into the vagina until you have been assessed. Keep your phone, pregnancy records, and essentials ready. During contractions, use the breathing and comfort measures discussed with your care team, but do not delay calling because the contractions are still manageable.

Get urgent maternity help for heavy bleeding, green or brown fluid, severe constant pain, fever, faintness, reduced baby movements, or a visible cord. Call emergency services if you feel an urge to push and cannot safely reach your maternity unit. Contractions with fluid leakage before the expected time of birth should be assessed promptly because they may indicate preterm labour.

Ask when to leave for hospital, how to time contractions, what fluid changes matter, and what to do if contractions slow down after the leak. Clarify who to call overnight and how reduced movements should be reported.