What Does It Feel Like When Your Water Breaks?

Have you ever wondered what it feels like when your water breaks? This can be a confusing and intimidating feeling. The truth is that it can feel different depending on the individual, but in general, it’s usually a gush or trickle of fluid that accompanies contractions in labour. In this article, we’ll explain what it feels like when your water breaks and how to tell the difference between normal discharge and amniotic fluid.

What is Amniotic Fluid?

Amniotic fluid is the fluid that surrounds a baby in the uterus throughout pregnancy. This fluid cushions and protects the baby, and helps it to grow and develop in the womb. The amniotic fluid is made up of water and cells from the outgrown lining of the uterus, and it slowly decreases throughout the pregnancy.

What Does It Feel Like When Your Water Breaks?

When your water breaks, you may experience a sudden gush or trickle of fluid from your vagina. This can be a large amount of fluid, or it might just be a slow leak. It’s also common to experience an increased pressure in your abdomen, as if something is pushing down. For some women, their water breaking can be the sign that active labour has started, but for others, the onset of labour can be gradual.

How to Tell the Difference Between Normal Discharge and Amniotic Fluid

If you’re unsure whether the fluid you’re experiencing is normal discharge or amniotic fluid, there are some tests you can take. One way is to simply put on a pad and then check after 30 minutes to see if it’s wet or not. Amniotic fluid will usually be yellow, clear or pink-tinged. If it’s yellowish-green, it may be a sign of infection, so you should seek medical attention. You can also try the sniff test; amniotic fluid will not smell like urine, whereas normal discharge will.

In conclusion, if you suspect that your water has broken, it’s best to seek medical advice. Your doctor or midwife can help you to determine if it is amniotic fluid and advise you on the best course of action.