Ruptured membranes

During pregnancy, a "sac" forms around the baby and fills with fluid. This is called the "amniotic sac" or "bag of waters." The fluid (or water) surrounds the baby and acts like a cushion to protect the baby. Often, the sac breaks just before or during labor. This is called ruptured membranes, or more commonly, the "water broke."

When the sac breaks, the water can leak out in small amounts or gush out in a large amount. When this happens, germs can get in and cause an infection. This is why it is very important to contact the prenatal care provider as soon as it happens, even if there are no signs of labor. Sometimes a sonogram is done to check the amount of water still around the baby.

If your water breaks before labor starts, your provider will want to check:

• your temperature (in case of infection)
• the amount and color of the fluid coming out of your vagina and
• the baby's heartbeat (to see if it is beating strong and steady)

When the bag of waters breaks, labor usually starts within 24 hours. If labor does not start, your provider may want to induce or start the labor. This means using a drug to start your contractions.

While you are pregnant, if you have a trickle or gush of fluid coming out of your vagina, your bag of waters may have broken. Call your provider as soon as possible.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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