How to tell if your water has broken during pregnancy

Pregnant women, especially first-time mothers, are very concerned about when their water will break near the due date, because if the water breaks, it means that the baby is about to be born, and they have to rush to the hospital to prepare for delivery. However, many pregnant women do not know how to judge whether their amniotic fluid has broken or whether they are having urine or other secretions, which is very worrying. Here is a brief introduction on how to make the judgment.

Because a woman's bladder will be compressed during pregnancy, causing a few drops of urine to flow out, most pregnant women are unable to accurately judge the difference between amniotic fluid, urine and secretions in real life. Pregnant women may mistake urine for water breaking. In fact, the smell of the two is quite different. As we all know, urine has a strong, fishy smell. However, the smell of amniotic fluid is different, it is natural and even sweet.

It is necessary to carefully distinguish whether it is amniotic fluid or secretion that is flowing out. Generally speaking, there are many situations in which amniotic fluid breaks, including low-level water rupture and high-level water rupture. As the name suggests, low-level amniotic fluid ruptures at a low location, closer to the vagina, and a water-like substance will flow out in a large amount. However, high-level rupture of membranes is difficult to differentiate and diagnose because the rupture site is higher and close to the top of the uterus. At this time, the pregnant woman will feel the vagina is wet, but because the outflow is slow, it feels a bit like secretion outflow.

When the amniotic fluid breaks, it will flow down like hot water in streams, or in several streams every once in a while. At the same time, there will be a cramping feeling in the abdomen. At that time, the baby may be about to be born. If the mother finds that liquid is flowing out but cannot confirm it, she should buy test paper, stick it on the underwear, and distinguish it by the change in color. Specifically, the pH value of amniotic fluid is 7.0-7.5, and that of urine is 5.5-6.5. In addition, the breaking of the amniotic fluid is accompanied by pain. At this time, the pregnant woman should go to the hospital immediately.

I hope the above introduction will be helpful to pregnant mothers. In fact, there are many differences between amniotic fluid rupture and urine and other secretions. As long as you observe and experience carefully, you will definitely feel it. In the period approaching the baby's birth, pregnant women can prepare amniotic fluid test strips at home early, and test them in time when they feel it. This will make it easier for pregnant mothers to distinguish whether it is amniotic fluid rupture or other secretions such as urine. The most important thing is for pregnant women to take good care of themselves.