How to tell if your water has broken

The fetus relies on the placenta to absorb nutrients in the mother's body. The fetus is surrounded by amniotic fluid and grows by absorbing nutrients provided by the mother through the umbilical cord. When the due date arrives, many pregnant women will be admitted to the hospital early to prepare for a smooth delivery. Many women who are pregnant for the first time do not know what reactions will occur before delivery. The elderly tell pregnant women that if the amniotic fluid breaks, it means the baby is about to be born. So how do you determine whether the amniotic fluid has broken?

1. How to check if the amniotic fluid has broken

Pregnant women should strictly and closely observe their physiological changes in the later stages of pregnancy. If the due date approaches, and irregular uterine contractions occur frequently, plus there is red discharge similar to menstrual bleeding on the underwear, it is time to be alert and make prenatal preparations. So, when does the water break after a pregnant woman sees blood?

24 to 48 hours before delivery, a small amount of bloody mucus will be discharged from the vagina of the pregnant woman, commonly known as "seeing blood". This is a more reliable sign that delivery is about to begin. It is because the dilation of the cervix separates the fetal membrane near the internal opening from the uterine wall, causing the capillaries to rupture and a small amount of bleeding to be discharged mixed with cervical mucus.

Generally, water breaking will occur only after labor begins. Individual situations vary greatly. If you see blood, it is recommended that you go to the hospital in time to prepare for delivery.

Generally, spotting occurs 24 hours before labor pains, but it may also occur repeatedly a few days before delivery or even a week before delivery.

Spotting is a precursor to childbirth. If spotting is accompanied by regular uterine contractions, then you are usually not far from becoming a mother. Your water should break and you should go into labor in 12-48 hours. If a pregnant woman has spotting, she should go to the hospital for observation in time.

2. Reasons for water breaking

Broken water, which is what we commonly call the amniotic fluid breaking. Amniotic fluid plays a very important role in the entire pregnancy process of pregnant mothers. So, what causes the water to break?

1. The cervix of the pregnant woman relaxes, which stimulates the fetal membrane and causes premature rupture of amniotic fluid.

2. Hypoplasia of the fetal membrane, such as the presence of amnion-chorioamnionitis, causes excessive pressure in the amniotic cavity, leading to premature rupture of the amniotic membrane.

3. Malposition of the fetus, narrow pelvis, cephalopelvic disproportion, polyhydramnios, multiple pregnancy, etc. can all increase the pressure in the amniotic cavity and cause premature rupture of membranes.

4. Improper sexual intercourse during pregnancy can cause amniotic-chorionic infection, especially the prostaglandins in semen can induce uterine contractions, resulting in uneven pressure in the amniotic cavity and causing premature rupture of membranes.

5. Some other factors can also cause premature rupture of membranes, such as severe coughing during pregnancy, sudden laughter or anger, and doing heavy physical work, which can cause a sharp increase in abdominal pressure, causing the fetal membrane to rupture and the amniotic fluid to flow out of the vagina.