QuestionQUESTION: Could you please explain about water breaks during pragnancy? When should one expect it? If water doesn't break when should one go hospital?
ANSWER: Dear Ani,
Inside the uterus is a sac called the amniotic sac. Inside that sac is water, called amniotic fluid, and the baby. When that sac pops, and the water comes out, we say that the mom's water broke. When that happens, labor usually begins on its own withing 24 hours.
Some women's water breaks before labor, some during labor, and some only when the mom is pushing, as the baby is coming out. There is no 'usual'; every woman is different.
Most doctors like to induce labor as soon as the water breaks, but it is usually better to wait at least 24 hours, as long as nothing is put inside the vagina after the water breaks. Putting something inside the vagina - even the doctor's fingers for an exam - can introduce infection and is not a good idea. That means no sex, either.
Some doctors break the sac of waters intentionally, to speed up labor. This is really only safe once the mom is very close to giving birth. It can be unsafe in early labor, especially if the baby is not very low in the mom's pelvis, since if the baby is high up, the baby's umbilical cord can slide into the birth canal before the baby's head, and the baby could suffocate, since the cord gives the baby its oxygen. In such a case, the mom would need a cesarean, and that would hopefully save the baby's life. This is a case where it's best to leave well enough alone, and not break the sac in the first place.
Since the waters act as a cushion when the sac is unbroken, breaking the water also makes contractions more painful, and more uncomfortable to the baby.
If the sac of waters does not break before labor, mom can go to the hospital as soon as she feels contractions every 3 to 5 minutes, and lasting 45 seconds long. You should time from the beginning of one to the beginning of the next one, not from the end of one to the beginning of the next.
Please feel free to ask again if you need clarification, or if you have any other questions.
Best of luck,
Sheva
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: can you say about color, odour and amount of amniotic fluid when water beaks?
AnswerDear Ani,
The color of amniotic fluid is clear, with a tinge of yellow and doesn't have a very noticeable odor. If the water breaks and it is bloody, or there is brown, black, or green in it - those are problem colors and you should go to the hospital immediately.
Bloody waters could mean you are bleeding, and the other colors means the baby passed stool while still inside, and that could mean the baby is in distress, and needs to be born as soon as possible. The doctor or midwife can listen to the heartbeat and see how the baby is doing.
The amount of fluid depends on if the sac pops, in which case there will be a big gush, or if it just has a small tear, in which case it will just keep trickling out.
And don't worry - as long as you continue drinking and stay well hydrated, your body will continue making amniotic fluid, so it will never be totally dry inside the uterus until after the baby is born.
Good luck!
Sheva
