How does water break before labor

Your contractions. It's true that first-time moms often take longer to deliver. But if regular contractions aren't happening within 24 hours of your pregnancy water break, your OB-GYN may want to evaluate you and baby, and possibly induce labor with Pitocin.

How long it's been since the bag broke. If your baby hasn't arrived within 24 hours after your water broke, your doctor may give you antibiotics intravenously. That's because there's a chance an infection can travel into the uterus and cause an infection in the baby, says Dr.

As for what to avoid after your water breaks in pregnancy, it may depend on your doctor. Hill says. If you're less than 37 weeks pregnant , or if you're GBS Group B Streptococcus positive , they may send you to the hospital. Also pay attention to the condition of the amniotic fluid. If it's foul smelling, stained with lots of blood, or has a greenish or dark tint, head straight to hospital.

Those are all signs that your baby could be in distress. Finally, take note of whether contractions have begun. If more than 24 hours have passed since your water broke and you're still not feeling them, let your doctor know. Here's What to Know. Worried About Your Water Breaking?

By Bonnie Vengrow Updated July 28, Save Pin FB More. By Bonnie Vengrow. In reality, PROM really is a dance of sorts. Your healthcare provider must balance the benefits and risks. For this reason, you may want to discuss the course of events with your doctor to know what to expect if your water breaks before your contractions begin.

And while GBS-positive women may follow expectant management, many caregivers and women choose to augment labor without waiting. While less common and more present in literature outside the United States , your caregiver may give you up to 96 hours after your water breaks to begin labor on your own.

Related: How to prepare for labor induction. The risk of infection can be for either mom or baby. Fortunately, doctors and nurses know what to look for and will watch you carefully and act accordingly. If you choose to labor at home with guidance from your caregiver , you may want to familiarize yourself with signs of infection so you can get prompt medical care when needed.

Chorioamnionitis , for example, is an infection of the uterus. While in the hospital, your doctor can monitor your temperature, heart rate, and other vital signs. Your baby will also be monitored using an external or internal fetal monitor during this time to look for signs of distress, like:. These may be signs of infection or that your baby has had a bowel movement meconium , which may cause issues with breathing after birth.

Related: Natural ways to induce labor. The course of action here is a different balancing act than with PROM, because doctors must weigh the benefits versus risks of delivering a baby early versus exposing them to infection and other complications. Your amniotic fluid is continually regenerating, so being hydrated and staying in bed may buy you some time. In a few cases, the break in the sac may seal back up on its own. In others, you may need to deliver your baby sooner than you may have expected.

The good news is that you may be able to cook baby a bit longer while being hospitalized and monitored. If everything is stable, you may deliver at around 34 weeks. If you have complications, your doctor may choose to deliver you before this milestone. Related: Second trimester pregnancy complications. However, some research shows a link with smoking, so kicking that habit is a good idea.

And if your water has broken, work together with your doctor to decide what birth plan is right for you. Otherwise, there are other options in place to get your baby into your arms safe and sound. Am I about to have a baby or did I pee a little? We've got some tips for figuring out whether it's amniotic fluid We'll explain when your doctor may choose induction after…. Am I about to have a baby or did I pee a little? We've got some tips for figuring out whether it's amniotic fluid Anxiously awaiting the arrival of your baby?

Here are some signs that labor is 24 to 48 hours away. There are some natural ways to induce labor. If your due date is here, read this and talk to your doctor about what's right for you. When you're getting ready to give birth, packing for the hospital stay can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Our hospital bag checklist can help…. A new study finds that epidurals do not affect child development in their later years. A fetal arrhythmia is an irregular heart rate — too fast, too slow, or otherwise outside the norm.

It's often benign. Postpartum diarrhea after a C-section is normal. Sharing our experiences of pregnancy and infant loss can help us heal. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Causes Early water break Next steps Can you make it break?

What causes water to break? What if my water breaks early?