Water Breaking During Pregnancy: What to Do & Symptoms

Question
I am going on 33 yrs old and this is my first baby due on June 1.  I am currently going on 38 weeks pregnant.  My Dr. says swimming is best for me since my feet are swollen that I cannot walk too much.  My question is: what if my water breaks while I am in the swimming pool? How will I know it and what are the symptoms?  Will it affect my baby?  Pls advise.

Thanks,

Kelly

Answer
Usually, your water will not break until  you are going into labor. However, if you notice a trickling of water down your thigh, or if you suddenly get a gush of fluid out of your vagina, you should get checked. Once you break your water, you usually will go into labor within 2-4 hours. If not, you will be induced in 24-48 hours. You do not have to go to the hospital right away unless you are positive for group B hepatitis. If  you notice that you have fluid coming out of your vagina, or if it wet constantly, call your doctor and stop swimming. It is sometimes difficult to realize rupture of membranes, but it is not that critical. Once the water breaks, there is access to the baby and the risk for infection can start to rise in 14-48 hoirs.