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WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S | Family Maternity Center | Pregnancy Resource Center | Pregnancy Library | Labor | If your water breaks you’ll be in labor soon
If your water breaks you’ll be in labor soon
You may have heard a story about a pregnant woman whose membranes ruptured in a public place and she was very embarassed.
Although having your membranes rupture ("water break") in public concerns many pregnant women, this rarely happens. In reality, few pregnant women experience ruptured membranes in a public place. If this does occur, you will only feel a small amount of extra fluid rather than a gush of water or blood.
When your membranes rupture, usually you are beginning labor. "Water breaking" is a common term used to describe the rupture of the fluid-filled amniotic sac that surrounds your baby during pregnancy.
Once your membranes rupture, you need to call your doctor. The risk of infection increases if the baby isn't delivered within 24 hours. If you are near the end of your pregnancy, ruptured membranes usually signal the beginning of labor.
If your membranes do not rupture prior to the beginning of contractions, your doctor may break the membrane. This involves making a small hole in the amniotic sac. This will feel uncomfortable and you will probably go into labor within hours.
If your membranes rupture and you don't go into labor, your doctor may induce labor with oxytocin, a hormone that causes contractions. You will be given this medication intravenously.
Date last reviewed: October 2002.
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