Questioni teach a prenatal water exercise class. my moms have expressed concern about exercising (particularly in the water) when or after their water breaks. is there any danger in being in the pool as or after the water breaks? how about the mucus plug?
AnswerYou've brought up an interesting point that I have not heard discussed during pre/post natal fitness specialist trainings or at fitness conferences.
As to water breaking in the pool, it certainly is possible. Most women feel their waters breaking. Sometimes it has a distinct popping (no pain) sensation, sometimes not. The fluid can come gushing out, or be more of a trickle.
I would advise your students to be aware of either a bursting sensation or the feeling of warm liquid on flowing from the vagina and onto the thighs. Amniotic fluid will be warmer than the pool, and I don't think that it would be missed, especially if your students are aware of the possibility and what it would feel like. If this occurs, a student might describe it as feeling like they urinated, only didn't.
If you think that one of your students might have broken her waters, you should have her leave the pool and immediately call her OBGYN office. Most likely, she will be advised to come in right away for an evaluation. Help her get dressed. Help her remain calm. She should not drive herself to the doctor's office.
Labor and delivery can occur very quickly after the waters break, especially in athletic women. Once the waters break, women are at increased risk for infection, and doctors will want delivery to happen soon after the event.
Once a woman looses her mucus plug, then water aerobics, swimming, or even taking a bath are not advisable as there is an increased risk of infection.
