I was put on hospital bedrest, antibiotics and had regular scans on the remaining water levels. Despite the antibiotics my infection markers were getting worse and I had to be induced at 24 weeks because they didn't think my baby would survive much longer in an infected womb. He survived birth, spent 7 months in hospital and then came home. He's now almost 5 years old and starting school in September.” If you think that you are leaking fluid from the vagina, wear a pad not a tampon so your doctor or midwife can check the amount and colour of your waters. This could mean that you and your baby need urgent attention. It may be a little pinkish if it contains some blood, or it may be clear. You must tell your healthcare professional if: If you think your waters may have broken, you should contact your midwife or labour ward and go to the hospital for a check-up straight away.Īmniotic fluid is clear and a pale straw colour. What should I do if my waters break early? You can read more about what to expect when your waters break. You may not have any sensation of the actual ‘breaking’, and then the only sign that your waters have broken is the trickle of fluid. Your waters breaking may feel like a mild popping sensation, followed by a trickle or gush of fluid that you can’t stop, unlike when you wee. How will I know if my waters have broken? It is important to remember that PPROM is not caused by anything you did or didn’t do in pregnancy. have extra fluid around the baby in the amniotic sac (polyhydramnios).have experienced placental abruption before.have had cervical surgery or have a short cervix.have had any direct trauma to the stomach.have had any vaginal bleeding in pregnancy.have had a premature birth or PPROM before.But it may be caused by infection, or placental problems, such as placental insufficiency or a blood clot (haematoma) behind the placenta or membranes. Other risk factors may include if you: PPROM happens in about 3% of pregnancies.

If your waters break early, the risks and treatment depend on your stage of pregnancy. If this happens, it can (but does not always) trigger early labour. If your waters break before labour at less than 37 weeks of pregnancy, this is known as preterm prelabour rupture of membranes or PPROM. Normally your waters break shortly before or during labour.

It is also known as rupture of the membranes. When your baby is ready to be born, the sac breaks and the fluid comes out through your vagina. Your baby develops inside a bag of fluid called the amniotic sac. What is preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM)?

Read more about what to expect when your waters break after 37 weeks. This page covers waters breaking early before 37 weeks.

Leaking amniotic fluid at 20 weeks