Has anyone put anything on your bed to help protect it for when your water breaks? Any cheap or free ideas
WeMoms
2 Apr 2024
What to Do When Your Water Breaks
What to Do When Your Water Breaks
The moment your water breaks is a pivotal point in the childbirth process.
Knowing what to do when this happens is crucial for the well-being of both the mother and the baby.
This article guides expectant mothers through the essential steps to take after their water breaks.
Immediate Steps After Water Breaking
Confirming It's Amniotic Fluid
If you experience a gush or a steady leak of fluid, it’s likely that your water has broken. Amniotic fluid is usually clear with no strong odor.
Stay Calm and Record the Time
Remain calm and note the time when your water broke. This information is important for your healthcare provider.
Wear a Sanitary Pad
Use a sanitary pad (not a tampon) to manage the fluid and observe its color and odor.
Preparing to Go to the Hospital or Birthing Center
Contact Your Healthcare Provider
Call your doctor, midwife, or birthing center immediately after your water breaks, even if you are not having contractions.
Preparing for Departure
If you are not already at the hospital, prepare to go. Grab your pre-packed hospital bag.
What to Bring
Essential items include your ID, insurance information, birth plan, comfortable clothes, and any personal items you may need.
At the Hospital or Birthing Center
Medical Evaluation
Upon arrival, you’ll be evaluated to confirm that your water has broken and to check on the baby’s condition.
Monitoring for Infection
The risk of infection increases after water breaking.
Healthcare providers will monitor your temperature and the baby’s heart rate.
What If Contractions Haven’t Started?
Inducing Labor
If labor doesn’t start naturally within a certain time frame after your water breaks, your healthcare provider may discuss inducing labor.
Waiting for Labor to Start
You may be advised to wait for a certain period to allow labor to start naturally, under medical supervision.
Q&As
- Can I eat or drink after my water breaks? Eating or drinking may be restricted once you're admitted to the hospital, depending on your labor progress and hospital policy.
- What are the signs of infection I should watch for? Be alert for fever, increased heart rate, or foul-smelling amniotic fluid, and report these to your healthcare provider.
- How long can I stay at home after my water breaks? It's recommended to head to the hospital or birthing center immediately after your water breaks for a medical evaluation.
- Is it safe to take a shower after my water breaks? Generally, showering is safe, but avoid baths. Confirm with your healthcare provider.
- What should I do if my water breaks before 37 weeks? Seek immediate medical attention, as preterm water breaking requires prompt medical intervention.
Knowing what to do when your water breaks can help ensure a safe and efficient transition into the active phase of labor and delivery.
All I Need to Know
The Truth About Water Breaking
1 min read
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Maryjane
1 Jan 2024
So when your water breaks even if it’s a trickle and not a gush do you still feel a pop, I was making dinner and had a clear liquid start dripping down my leg
Danielle 🦦🪷
Cough. If more comes out it’s probably your water. My water has never broken but my friends and sisters have both trickled. I’m not sure if they’ve had that pop.
27 Mar 2024
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Brianna
Following because liquid keep dripping from me too & my bf said it don't have a smell
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Yani
16 Aug 2023
When your water breaks, do you start having contractions immediately? Not sure if mine broke but I woke up needing to pee and I Peed on myself a little. Then I went to the kitchen couple seconds go by, and I had the urge to go pee again both times I Peed a lot
Mia
No you don’t always have contractions when your water breaks
27 Mar 2024
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Elizabeth
When your water breaks you will constantly be leaking. My contractions just picked up, but I was also already on pitocin for about 20 minutes before my water broke. So, I'm going to suggest what others have put a pad on and if you soak it pretty quickly and then your water broke
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Samantha
1 Aug 2023
What are you going to throw on when you go into labor or your water breaks? I dreamt my water broke last night! I had no idea what to wear!! 😭 I want to wear a maxi dress!!! Going shopping now!
Ashley
I want to get a comfortable laboring gown that opens easily
27 Mar 2024
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Samantha
I like that idea and it’ll be comfortable!
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Holly
4 Jun 2023
Being my first child, I can't seem to figure out what I should do once my water breaks... do I just go to the emergency room or call my doctor?? I just don't want to go to the wrong place. #stupidquestionsorry
Stacey
Once it breaks go to hospital.
27 Mar 2024
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Stacey
My water never broke, but I was having contractions. I previously downloaded an app and tracked my contractions on it. The app let's you know when to head to the hospital. My husband forced me to leave earlier to grab something to eat and while doing that app said to head to hospital. When I arrived I was 3 cm dilated and within an hour was at 4. We were 15 min from hospital and where we got food. If I was at home (45 min from hospital) I would have gotten to hospital when I was 4cm.
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Betty
20 May 2023
When your water breaks. Can you hold it in like pee or does it just flow out and can’t stop it?
Taylor
mine felt like a pee that you cant hold and its more of a gush than a flow and you can usually tell when it broke if you take a tissue and see your mucus plug which resymbols snot
27 Mar 2024
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Betty
Sounds scary Thank you.
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Valerie
18 Jul 2022
What happens when water breaks? Is it supposed to be a big gush or a slow trickle? How much fluid am I supposed to lose? What color should it be and what should it smell like? I’m so nervous. I have 4 weeks and 6 days, I just want to be prepared.
Emily
^^^ what she said.
Slow amniotic fluid is rare.
Things to watch for
C color
O odor
A mount
T time (for you to go to hospital)
Labor and delivery will ask you these questions
I have already thought this happened to me and been evaluated and they said to put a pad in and if your soaking through pads then contact your OB/ labor and delivery
27 Mar 2024
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Sydni
I thought I peed. I apologized to the nurse for peeing and she told me that was my water breaking.
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Summer-Rain
5 Jul 2022
When water breaks do I have to drop everything and go to the hospital or can I shower and prepare first?
Blocked user
If somebody is there with you to help you shower I would shower and get to the hospital ASAP
27 Mar 2024
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Blocked user
They allowed me to shower at the hospital with my last, we were literally driving home from grocery shopping.. just got done putting food away I’d say get straight to the hospital because you don’t know how quick labor will began. My sister water broke and baby came in 20 mins . Don’t chance it .
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Summer
22 Jan 2022
How do you know when your water breaks ? Is it a big gush or a trikle. My underwear is wet . This is second day . Everything is new to me with it being my first baby . I am 40 weeks and 6 days .
Valencia
Wow u past ur due date call it doc
27 Mar 2024
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Valencia
It could mean ur water broke
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