When you are in labor, your water breaking is one of the final stages before you meet your baby. It can happen at any point during labor, but usually happens when contractions are strong and close together. After your water breaks, you will likely have a baby within 12-24 hours.
If your water breaks before you start having contractions, it’s called prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM). PROM is when your water breaks more than 37 weeks into your pregnancy. If your water breaks after your contractions have already started, it’s called spontaneous rupture of membranes (SROM).
SROM is when your water breaks during labor, usually after you’ve been in active labor for a while. In either case, once your water has broken, it’s time to head to the hospital because labor is likely to start very soon!
Contractions before Water Breaks
When your water breaks, it means that your amniotic sac has ruptured and you are leaking amniotic fluid. This usually happens towards the end of pregnancy, but can happen earlier for some women. If your water breaks before you are in labor, you will likely be induced.
If your water breaks before 37 weeks, it is considered premature rupture of membranes (PROM). This can be a serious complication because it increases the risk of infection for both mother and baby. PROM is also a risk factor for preterm labor.
If you have any signs of infection or think you might be going into labor, call your doctor right away.
If your water breaks after 37 weeks, it is called term premature rupture of membranes (TPROM). TPROM is less common than PROM, but still carries some risks.
These include infection and cord prolapse (when the umbilical cord falls into the birth canal ahead of the baby). However, most women who experience TPROM go on to have healthy babies.
If your water breaks, call your doctor or midwife right away so they can assess the situation and determine what needs to be done next.
Does Your Water Break After Contractions Start?
No, your water does not necessarily break after contractions start. Some women may experience their water breaking before they experience any contractions, while others may not have their water break until they are in active labor. There is no right or wrong answer – it is simply a matter of how your body responds to labor.
If your water does break before contractions start, don’t worry – this is perfectly normal and simply means that your body is getting ready for labor.
How Do You Know When Your Water is About to Break?
When your water breaks, it means that your amniotic sac has ruptured and you are leaking amniotic fluid. This usually happens towards the end of pregnancy, when your baby is ready to be born.
There are a few signs that may indicate that your water is about to break, including:
* A sudden gush of fluid from your vagina
* A constant trickle of fluid from your vagina
* Wetness in your underwear or on your perineum (the area between your vagina and anus)
* Stronger and more frequent Braxton Hicks contractions
If you think that your water has broken, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider right away. They will likely want to check to see if you are indeed leaking amniotic fluid, and if so, they will monitor you and your baby closely.
How Long Does Water Break before Labor?
It is difficult to determine how long water will break before labor begins because it can happen anywhere from a few hours to a day before. For first-time mothers, the average time between their water breaking and the start of labor is about 12-24 hours. However, this can vary greatly depending on several factors such as the strength of contractions, dilation of the cervix, etc.
So, while there is no definite answer to how long water will break before labor begins, it is generally recommended that you head to the hospital or birth center once your water breaks since labor could start within a few hours.
Conclusion
It’s hard to say how long after contractions your water will break. It could be minutes, hours, or even days. If your water does break, it’s important to call your doctor or midwife right away.
They will likely want to check you and see how far along you are in labor.
