The amniotic sac surrounding the baby contains approximately a quart of fluid. This fluid is comprised mainly of baby's urine, baby's skin cells and fluid created from the placenta. Since most of baby's waste products are transported through the umbilical cord to the mother's circulation and filtered through her kidneys, baby's urine is not like ours at all. That explains why amniotic fluid is usually clear, or a very pale color.
When a woman's amniotic sac ruptures, or her "water breaks", it usually occurs in one of two ways. It's either a big gush, or a steady trickle.
THE BIG GUSH
Image by roychung1993 via FlickrIf your water breaks with a big gush, its going to be pretty easy to tell what happened. Water will be everywhere. It will run down your legs; when you get into the car, it will be in the seat of the car. Everywhere you go, you will leave a trail of water.
Don't try to use a towel to keep up with the flow. Go to your baby's nursery and grab a diaper. They are the perfect hour-glass shape, they are lined with plastic and extremely absorbent. Put one between your legs and you can be on your way!
THE STEADY TRICKLE
If you have a steady wetness, it is much harder to know if it is definitely your amniotic fluid. Many women have a thin, whitish discharge toward the end of pregnancy which is can be normal.
If you are a steady discharge that requires you to wear a pad, you need to notify your health care provider. Don't try to diagnose it yourself at home.
HOW TO KNOW FOR SURE?
If you have a the "big gush" usually it is very obvious and there is nothing else that needs to be done to determine that your water has broken. If however you had small gush and then no more fluid leaked out, or if you are having a continual trickle of discharge, your health care provider will need to determine definitely if it was your amniotic fluid.
The first test performed is often to test the pH of the amniotic fluid. This is a simple litmus test done either with a swab or a strip of paper. A more definitely test involves viewing the amniotic fluid under a microscope.
This is usually done by obtaining a sample of the fluid with a small swab through a speculum. The higher salt content of the amniotic fluid causes it to create a pattern of ferns, like a Boston Fern, on the slide when observed through the microscope.
WHEN WILL MY WATER BREAK?
Many new mothers are concerned about when their water will break, especially the thought of if it should happen in a public place. I usually ask them to think about all the times they have been in the grocery store, out shopping or at the theater. Have they ever been there and seen someone's water break? The answer has always been "No".
Only 10% of women rupture their amniotic sac before labor begins. Of those 10%, rupturing your membranes is usually a private thing, even if you are around many people. It is very rare for it to be something for everyone to see and notice.
WHAT DO I DO WHEN MY WATER BREAKS?
When your water breaks, notify your health care provider immediately. Most will want you to come to the hospital or birth center so they can verify that your water has been broken. Do not put anything into your vagina -- it is now EXIT ONLY! That means no douches, no tampons, no body parts.
The membranes serve as the last guardian against infection for your baby. The normal bacteria that live in your vagina will begin the slow, steady trek upward toward your uterus and your baby. Anything introduced into the vagina will help spread those bacteria along their way.
Take a deep breath and remember that having your water break means that your baby will soon be here. The moment you have been awaiting for so many months is just around the corner. Congratulations!
