If you tested positive for group B strep in the weeks leading up to your due date, your practitioner will tell you that you need to get to the hospital right away after your water breaks if it happens before you have contractions and go into labor , since there is a risk of infection. Labor will likely begin on its own within 12 hours. Call your doctor right away: PPROM may require hospitalization or delivery and comes with the risk of preterm labor , infection of the amniotic fluid, placental abruption and umbilical cord prolapse.
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Learn more about the trickle that signals labor is finally on its way, including what it feels like and what you should do. Back to Top. In This Article. What causes your water to break? How can you tell if your water breaks? How to Tell if You're in Labor. Continue Reading Below.
It can sometimes be difficult to tell when your water has broken, particularly if you only experience an occasional trickle, or if you only find dampness in your underwear. You can always confirm it via a physical exam or ultrasound.
If you suspect your water has broken, make a note of the time. You may already be in labor, but if not, labor typically starts soon after your water breaks. You can learn more about what to expect in the case of a vaginal birth. If your water breaks before you go into labor, this is known as the premature rupture of the membranes PROM. This occurs in only about 8 to 10 percent of women; for most moms-to-be the water breaks once they are in labor. If your water breaks, but you have no contractions, your doctor may discuss labor induction with you.
Intervention to help bring on contractions can reduce the risk of infection, because this risk increases with time between the water breaking and contractions starting. If your pregnancy is full-term and your water breaks, stay calm and contact your healthcare provider to get advice on when to head in to the hospital or birthing center.
You should also contact your healthcare provider if. Your water breaks preterm , which is any time before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Your provider may suggest inducing labor in this case.
Once your water has broken your baby is no longer as protected from infection as he was inside the fluid-filled sac. To be on the safe side, your provider may recommend you avoid having a bath or using tampons.
Amniotic fluid, on the other hand, has no smell or a slightly sweet smell. On that note, you may want to discuss the necessity of vaginal exams after your water has broken with your healthcare professional. There is no current research, but one study from has shown that digital vaginal exams are a primary risk factor for infection with PROM.
Still not sure whether that trickle is urine or amniotic fluid? When in doubt, the best practice is to contact your OB or midwife and discuss your symptoms. Here are three tests that can help you healthcare team determine what that wetness really is:. These three exams may be used in conjunction to diagnose whether your water has broken.
Other hospitals may use proprietary tests, but they also involve getting a swab of fluid from the vagina for testing. If you notice meconium in the fluid remember that green-yellow color? In the very rare chance that you can feel something in your vagina or notice something at the opening of your vagina, call While it is highly unlikely, the umbilical cord can enter the vagina ahead of the baby and could be compressed, reducing oxygen to the baby.
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