Can your water break without being dilated?
Congratulations on your pregnancy! If you’re thinking about dilation, then it’s likely that you’re getting towards the end of your pregnancy. In this article, we’re answering the question – can your water break without being dilated?
This article includes:
- What does it mean when your water breaks?
- What does your water breaking feel like?
- What is dilation?
- Can your water break without being dilated?
- Can amniotic fluid leak?
- Can you dilate and your waters not break?
- Why might my waters break too early?
- Signs your water has broken
- What do I do when my water breaks?
Pregnancy is a lovely time for you to get excited about meeting your little one. During pregnancy, your body goes through many changes. These changes are all your body preparing for labor.
Labor is different for everyone, so it’s difficult to provide a labor pain scale. Pain is completely subjective, and while some women may feel extreme pain in labor, others may not. There is no way of knowing how you will feel until you are in labor.
There are various books you can read or groups you can attend to help you become more confident with labor. In addition, you may learn breathing techniques and gain a better insight into the process of the water breaking.
What does it mean when your water breaks?
While you are pregnant, your baby is protected by the amniotic sac. This is exactly how it sounds, a sac filled with amniotic fluid. This fluid helps your baby to develop while you are pregnant.
One of the main aims of the amniotic fluid and sac is to protect the baby while you are carrying them. The amniotic fluid sac sits just in front of the placenta. It can also help the baby to maintain a safe temperature.
When your water breaks, the sac breaks, and the watery fluid leaves the body through your vagina. Typically, your waters breaking is a sign that your baby is ready to be born.
You should seek advice immediately if your water breaks before you reach 37 weeks pregnant. You may need medical intervention.
We are often given the impression that your waters must break before labor; however, this is not always the case. For some women, their waters can break during the delivery or even after. Unfortunately, there’s no way of knowing when your waters will break until it actually happens!
What does your water breaking feel like?
There’s no need to feel worried about your waters breaking, as it shouldn’t hurt. This is because there are no pain receptors in the amniotic sac.
Many women describe it as a feeling of gushing. Additionally, you cannot stop the liquid from coming out, which makes it a telltale sign of water breaking. Amniotic fluid is usually clear in colour.
You should let a medical professional know when your water breaks. They can offer you the best advice to keep you and your baby safe.
What is dilation?
During pregnancy, your body spends nine months preparing you for birth. As you enter labor, your cervix will dilate. The term dilate simply means to expand, which is necessary to let the baby out.
Some women start to experience cervical dilation earlier in pregnancy. This is less common with a first pregnancy. This will be monitored closely by your midwife.
Every cervix goes through changes during the menstrual cycle, and these continue as your pregnancy progresses. For example, as you enter labor, your cervix will soften and become shorter. This makes it easier for the baby to arrive.
Your cervix dilation is checked frequently in labor using a physical exam. This allows the healthcare professional to see how far along you are. There are three stages to labor, these include:
- First stage (Latent stage & active labor) – dilation between 1cm – 10cm
- Second stage – Delivery after the cervix dilates to 10cm
- Third stage – Delivery of the placenta (after the baby is born)
The baby can be born anytime after the cervix has reached 10cm. However, just because you reach this point, it doesn’t mean your baby will be born straight away. The baby still has to travel down the birth canal to be delivered.
Can your water break without being dilated?
If you’re sitting wondering, can your water break without dilating? The answer is yes! Your cervix and the baby’s amniotic sac actually have no bearing on each other.
Despite what we are made to believe in the movies, your waters can actually break at any time. It doesn’t always mean that you’re about to go into labor.
When the amniotic sac ruptures before 37 weeks, it is known as premature rupture of membranes, or PROM. This rupture of membranes means the water breaks before labor begins. You may need an internal test or ultrasound to assess the premature rupture of membranes.
The amniotic sac is there to protect your baby from lots of things, including injuries and infections. When the sac breaks, your baby has a higher risk of infection. This means it’s important to let a healthcare provider know. You may be entering preterm labor.
Can amniotic fluid leak?
Sometimes, pregnant women can start leaking amniotic fluid. This is usually only a small amount and can stop as the sac re-seals itself. It may feel more like a slow trickle rather than a sudden gush.
If you are not dilated, then essentially, your cervix is closed. So, can your water break if your cervix is closed? Yes, it most definitely can.
We recommend that you seek medical advice regarding the next steps. The healthcare professionals will be able to offer you the best advice. Medical professionals may think it’s best to induce labor.
Can you dilate and your waters not break?
Only a very small percentage of women experience their waters actually breaking. Some babies are actually born with the sac intact.
If your water hasn’t broken by the time you are fully dilated, sometimes it may be done manually. This is nothing to worry about and depends on what is suitable for you and your baby.
So, can you be dilated and your waters not break? You definitely can, and it doesn’t mean there’s a problem!
Why might my waters break too early?
If your water breaks before you are 37 weeks pregnant, you may be experiencing early labor. It’s best to seek advice to ensure that you and your little one are safe.
There are a few reasons why your waters may break too early. These can include –
- A short cervical length
- Bleeding from the vagina during pregnancy (typically during the second and third trimesters)
- Having preterm labor previously
- Having an intra-amniotic infection
These would typically have been identified during the pregnancy; therefore, you may already have advice on these. If there is a risk of preterm labor, professionals may suggest ways to delay delivery.
You should seek advice if you are worried about any of these health concerns. A professional can assess your medical history and conduct any necessary testing to keep you healthy.
Signs your water has broken
Perhaps this is your first pregnancy, or maybe it’s your second or more; you probably have lots of questions. For some women, waters breaking can signify labor beginning, so it’s natural for you to think about it. Here are some signs that your water has broken:
- Uncontrollable, constant leaking
- Clear liquid or pale straw colour (no scent and a runny consistency)
- Feeling of pressure
- You may notice the mucus plug releasing too. This will be thick and yellow in colour.
Sometimes you may experience a small amount of blood in the fluid. A small amount is usually nothing to worry about. You should get advice from a health care team quickly if you are experiencing vaginal bleeding while your waters are breaking.
You should also seek advice if your water has a bad smell or a strange colour. This could be a sign that there is a problem, such as fetal distress. A professional will be able to conduct the correct tests.
What do I do when my water breaks?
If your water breaks, call your doctor or midwife! It might be time for your baby to arrive. Depending on how many weeks pregnant you are, your midwife will be able to give you advice.
The first stage of labor can take some time. By seeking support, you’ll have access to the best advice. You may notice labor contractions begin; your next steps may depend on your birth plan.
Some women can have a vaginal delivery, and others are better suited to a cesarean delivery. It’s all about delivering your baby safely.
Try not to worry too much; your water breaks when it’s ready to. You will start feeling contractions as your body prepares for birth. There’s no way of knowing when it’ll happen, so stay strong and enjoy every moment.
We hope this article has been useful now that you know – can your water break without dilation? Happy pregnancy, and good luck with your birth!
Hey there, I’m Abigail!
In 2022, I graduated with a First Class Degree in Marketing and since then, I have been working as a blogger and Marketing Assistant. Before heading to university, I also achieved a BTEC in Children’s Play, Learning and Development.
I have been blogging for over four years and have covered many topics during this time. My focus has been on pregnancy, babies, sleep and baby name ideas.
I am passionate about learning new things and helping others. I hope that you find my blogs useful and informative. See you in the next article!