Induction If your healthcare professional determines that your baby is displaying signs of distress, then they will break your waters as part of a planned induction. This is called an amniotomy and involves the doctor or midwife using a thin plastic hook to make a small opening in the amniotic sac. The fluid is then released and the woman will begin to experience contractions.
Before 37 weeks If you think that your waters have broken and your baby isn’t due yet (ie, before 37 weeks), then you need to contact your midwife, GP or local hospital. This is called pre-labour rupture of membranes (PROM), and, in this instance, you may experience pains similar to period pains which gradually increase in strength.
Keep any pads that you have been
wearing, or underwear and show it to the healthcare professionals as they can test the items to see if your waters have definitely broken. To do this, they will place a speculum into the vagina to see if the water ‘pools’. They may then do a swab test to send to pathology to check for any infection. Alternatively, they may carry out an
amnicator test. This involves the use of an orange –coloured cotton bud that changes to navy blue if it comes into contact with amniotic fluid. Neither of these methods is, however, totally conclusive and in some cases the healthcare professionals will have to simply observe to see if any more fluid comes away. In most cases, if they determine that your waters haven’t broken, they will send you home again.
If your waters have broken, then your
healthcare professional may be able to extend your pregnancy but, in most cases, the baby will be born prematurely.
Coloured amniotic fluid If your waters break and you notice that the fluid isn’t clear but rather a shade of yellow, green or brown, then you also need to contact your GP or midwife, or attend hospital immediately. If there is discolouration, then it is most likely meconium, which is the substance that is in your baby’s intestines and is passed as the first bowel movement. Depending on the thickness of the meconium, it may indicate that your baby is stressed. Again, keep any pads or underwear with you so that you can show it to the healthcare professional.
If you think that your waters have broken and your baby isn’t due yet (ie, before 37 weeks), then you need to contact your midwife, GP or local hospital
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