NHS Suffolk and North East Essex - Labour and Birth Booklet

5 Early signs of labour Your waters breaking The amniotic sac is the fluid filled bag that your baby grows inside during pregnancy, and this sac may break before your baby is born. When it breaks, the fluid will drain out from the vagina. Most women’s waters break during labour, but it can happen before labour starts. If your waters break, you may feel a slow trickle or a sudden gush of fluid. This fluid is normally clear or pink in colour, however sometimes a baby can pass their first poo (called meconium) inside the sac, causing the fluid to become green or yellow. If you think your waters have broken it is important to call your maternity triage/assessment unit straight away, particularly if you think you can see meconium. If you think your water’s have broken, wear a thick sanitary pad as your midwife will ask to see this when you attend your maternity unit for a check-up. You can also take a photo of the initial loss of fluid as this can help with the assessment. Make sure you take plenty of pads and a change of clothes with you on your journey into the maternity unit as once your waters have broken, you will continue to leak amniotic fluid. If your waters do break before labour, it is likely that your labour will start naturally within 24 hours, however if it doesn’t start it may be recommended that your labour is induced (started with the aid of medications) to reduce the risk of infection for both you and your baby. Your maternity team will discuss this with you and agree a plan if this is the case. For more information visit: • Tommy’s www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/labour-birth/what-expectwhen- your-waters-break