Premature rupture of the amniotic sac is the most common cause of premature birth, and it is the reason why four percent of pregnancies end before the due date [1].
What happens when your water breaks?
A flow of clear amniotic fluid is one of the tell-tale signs of the beginning of labor. The breaking of the membranes is not a one-time release of all of the fluid but more like a continuous leakage. If the baby’s position blocks the flow, the fluid will come out in a thin stream or repeated small gushes.
Some pregnant women may confuse the leakage of amniotic fluid with that of urine. Pregnancy naturally causes pressure on the bladder, so it’s not rare for a woman to leak urine when she laughs or sneezes. Another factor that contributes to moisture is an increase in vaginal discharge. But if you feel your undergarments are wetter than usual, check for odor. If you are not experiencing contractions and the fluid smells like urine, labor probably hasn’t started. But if you suspect it’s amniotic fluid, talk to your doctor.
How does a doctor determine the cause of the leak?
It depends on the type of medical facilities and the clinical assessment of the leak. You may simply be offered a pad, and after about an hour, your doctor will check the amount and characteristics of the fluid. Other clinics or hospitals will do an ultrasound to determine if amniotic fluid is low.
What happens once the water breaks?
Once membranes rupture, there are two scenarios. Either you’ll be allowed to go into labor, or your doctors will try to prolong the pregnancy as long as possible.
Delivery cannot be delayed if there is an infectious inflammation of the uterus, bleeding, placental abruption, or preeclampsia. In those cases, maintaining the pregnancy is dangerous for both mother and baby. In other circumstances, the parents will decide, along with their doctor, what to do [2].
Suppose waters break around week 37 when the baby is full-term. In that case, the mother will likely be admitted to the hospital, antibiotics may be prescribed, and the mother and baby’s condition will be monitored.
If they break after 37 weeks and labor does not begin right away, doctors may allow their patients to wait 12 to 14 hours before they induce labor or decide to perform a C-section [2].
How long can a pregnancy be maintained if amniotic fluid is leaking?
According to statistics, 50 percent of babies are born within a week after the rupture of the membranes. The remaining 50 percent are born within two to five weeks [2]. In each case, the parents and the doctor decide how to proceed according to the mother’s specific circumstances.
What can cause my water to break prematurely?
Bacterial infection is the most common cause [1]. That is why it is so important to get tested and treated on time. A premature rupture of the membranes can be associated with different causes that are difficult to predict and prevent. But you have to be especially vigilant if your doctor has diagnosed you with polyhydramnios or cervical insufficiency [1].
