Water breaking: What to Note and Who to Call

Waters breaking can be a sudden gush or a small, continuing trickle. If you think fluid may be leaking from around your baby, contact your maternity team immediately, even without contractions. This guide focuses on 37 weeks onwards. Before 37 weeks, you need urgent assessment and a different care plan.

Record what you notice

Note when leaking began, the colour and smell of the fluid, and whether your baby is moving as usual. Use a sanitary pad rather than a tampon. Tell the team about contractions, bleeding, pain, fever or feeling unwell, and any group B streptococcus result or related plan.

Green or brown fluid, an unusual smell, bleeding, reduced movements or ongoing abdominal pain need immediate attention. Do not wait for contractions to become regular. If bleeding is heavy or accompanied by severe pain or faintness, call emergency services.

A slow leak still needs checking

Urine, vaginal discharge and amniotic fluid can be difficult to distinguish at home. A small amount or an uncertain smell does not reliably settle the question. Tell the midwife that you are unsure and follow the advice about assessment.

The team may examine you to establish whether the membranes have ruptured. Ask them to explain what they recommend. If an assessment does not confirm ruptured membranes but leaking continues or symptoms change, contact the unit again. Our guide to waters breaking before 37 weeks explains why earlier pregnancy needs separate specialist advice.

Discuss the plan after confirmation

At term, the team will assess you and the baby and discuss timing of birth. Depending on your circumstances, options can include induction soon or waiting for labour for up to about 24 hours. If labour has not started after that period, induction is generally offered because infection risk increases with time.

This is not advice to wait at home before calling. A positive group B streptococcus result in this pregnancy or a previous baby affected by that infection can change the recommendation towards immediate induction, or the caesarean already planned. Other concerns may also require earlier care.

Follow the agreed monitoring instructions

If your team advises waiting, ask how to monitor your temperature, what changes to report and when to return. Report changes in movement, fluid colour or smell, fever or feeling unwell immediately. Avoid sex after the waters break; bathing or showering is not known to increase infection risk.

Keep the maternity number available. The labour signs guide can help you prepare the information for another call, but a new concern always takes priority over a planned review time.