Your fluid changes smell, particularly if it is offensive.

If slightly pink this is not a cause for concern, more heavily blood stained fluid may indicate a problem

If your fluid is blood stained or red.

Your fluid turns green or brown– this may indicate your baby has opened their bowels.

You have confirmed my waters have broken – when do I need to call back?Īfter we have confirmed your waters have broken, you must contact the maternity assessment unit again if you experience any of the following: You might also be offered a membrane sweep to attempt to bring on labour. We do this by providing you with disposable Tempa-dot thermometers for use every 4 hours whilst you are awake.

However, it is important we monitor you and your baby for signs of infection. Research has shown that during this time, you are most likely to be more comfortable at home. This will be 18 hours from the time your waters broke. If your waters have broken, but you show no further signs of immediate labour, you will be offered an augmentation of labour, this is similar to an induction. When your waters break, it can sometimes – but not always – trigger contractions and labour may start on its own (spontaneously). If you are due to give birth on delivery suite or you are unsure where you’re going to be giving birth please contact the maternity assessment unit on 01.

If you experience signs that your waters have broken after 37 weeks and are due to give birth in the Newcastle Birth Centre please call the labour line on 01. Waters break after 37 weeks and before labour starts. You will also be given antibiotics and may be admitted to the antenatal ward for observation for a short period. This will involve regular monitoring of your vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature and breathing rate, swabs and electronic fetal monitoring. This is to help reduce the risk of infection for you and your baby. Our medical staff and midwives will assess you, and if they can confirm your waters have broken, they will discuss with you an ongoing plan for your further treatment. If you experience signs that your waters have broken before 37 weeks, you must contact the maternity assessment unit on 01 immediately. Waters break before 37 weeks and before labour starts. Wearing a thick pad helps us to check if your waters have broken and spot any potential complications such as meconium – which is where your baby has passed a bowel motion inside you – or bleeding. Should you suspect your waters have broken, place a thick maternity pad in your underwear and contact the appropriate maternity team (see below). Although it is generally safe for a short time should your waters break, the risk of infection to you and your baby increases as time progresses. Some women might simply feel damp, others experience a slow trickle, and some a pronounced gush. What does it feel like when my waters break (membranes rupture)? How many weeks pregnant you are when this happens is important, as it will determine the course of treatment we offer you going forward. Sometimes, your waters will break on their own (spontaneously) before labour begins. These offer your baby protection from infection, aid lung development and provide cushioning and support for optimal growth and wellbeing. Your baby is surrounded by waters (amniotic fluid) suspended in a sac (membranes). Membranes rupturing is also known as your waters breaking.

Amniotic fluid on pad