Water Break Before Labour: What to Do

The membranes around the baby have opened, allowing amniotic fluid to leak. It may feel like a sudden gush or a continuing trickle, and it can be difficult to distinguish from urine or vaginal discharge. Labour may begin soon, but the absence of contractions does not confirm that nothing has changed. The timing of the break and the stage of pregnancy affect the next steps. A water break before term can occur with preterm labour, although fluid loss alone cannot identify its cause.

Use a clean maternity pad to observe the fluid; avoid tampons and do not put anything into the vagina. Record when the leak started, whether it is continuous, and its colour or smell. Keep your maternity notes available and call the labour ward, midwife, or obstetric team for individual instructions. Do not rely on an internal examination at home to check the membranes. If you are unsure whether the fluid is amniotic fluid, still ask for advice.

Seek urgent maternity help for heavy bleeding, green or brown fluid, a strong unpleasant smell, fever or feeling unwell, severe or persistent abdominal pain, or noticeably reduced baby movements. Call emergency services if you feel faint, have severe pain, or see the cord or a part of the baby at the vaginal opening. If the pregnancy is preterm, treat any suspected water break as a reason for immediate assessment; read more about [Preterm Labour](/conditions/preterm-labour/).

Ask whether you should come in now, how to monitor your temperature and the baby’s movements, and which activities or bathing advice applies to you. Also ask how to report changes in fluid, bleeding, pain, or contractions, and what plan will be used if labour does not start promptly.