What does your water breaking feel like? Learn how to know if your water has broken and what it feels like from a real mom.
When I was pregnant with my first son, I kept wondering what does water breaking feel like! When you watch movies, it seems like a crazy, dramatic experience.
Turns out, it’s most often much less exciting. In fact, only 8-10% of women have their water break before theire in full blown labor.
What does water breaking feel like?
Honestly, it feels different to everyone. Some people have the big gush, others notice a small trickle.
Generally speaking, your water will break when you are well into labor. It’s typically what really speeds up your labor.
I’ve broken my water 3 times and had different experiences each and every time.
Water breaking felt like a giant gush
With my first, I felt was I can only explain and my baby karate chopping my cervix and had the full on gush. It didn’t hurt, but it was uncomfortable and gross.
Water breaking was a gentle gush
With my second, I was told not to push until the doctor came in (she was delivering another baby!) and when I finally was given the go ahead I pushed and my water immediately broke. It was a much more gentle gush and a bit of a relief.
Water breaking was a slow leak
Wiht my third, we later found out the bags were low and stopping the head from coming down and dialating me quickly. My water broke during full labor and it felt like a small trickle.
The doctor eventually used an amniohook to move the placenta aside and complete the breaking and I finally got that gush.
Read the birth story of giving birth alone in a hospital here
How do you know if your water broke or if you just peed?
The only true way to know is to go to your doctor and have them do a test of the fluids. They have test strips that will tell you if it’s amniotic fluid or urine.
Can your water break without you knowing?
It’s definitely possible. But you’d eventually feel a consistent leaking that would cue you in that oyu need to check in with your OB.
What to do if you think your water has broken:
If you haven’t already, make sure to call your OB immediately. They’ll want you to confirm that you’ve actually broken your water and begin a timeline to avoid infection.
This is especially imporant to do ifnyou are high risk or if your water breaks before you are 37 weeks.
If you’re not sure if it broke, call anyway to be safe. It’s much better to be safe than sorry!!
Leave a Reply