Think your waters have broken? Call without waiting for contractions

First step: contact your maternity service

Call your maternity service straight away if you think your waters have broken, even without contractions. Suspected leaking before 37 weeks needs urgent assessment. Do not wait for a contraction timer to show shorter intervals; an app cannot identify the fluid.

Use a pad and describe what you notice

NHS guidance recommends a sanitary pad rather than a tampon. Tell the team when the leak began and describe its colour and smell. Mention green or brown fluid, an unpleasant smell, bleeding or reduced movements at the start of the call. Do not delay help to complete a record.

Do not try to confirm it yourself at home

Urine, discharge and amniotic fluid are not always easy to distinguish. Your team decides whether an examination or test is needed. Online pictures, home guesses and someone else’s birth experience cannot confirm your situation.

Clarify the next step in your individual plan

Ask where to go, when to call again and which changes to watch for while following the advice. The timing of labour and any treatment depend on individual assessment. Clarify travel, appointment details and the records you should bring.

Sources

• NHS — Signs that labour has begun
• RCOG — When your waters break prematurely