Has Anyone Ever Had Their Water Break on Its Own?

Updated on September 17, 2007
T.S. asks from Fox River Grove, IL
32 answers

I don't know anyone in my circle of friends that has had their water break on its own. I was wondering if any of you have had it break and what it was like. My water didn't break with my first son until he was on his way out and at that point I had no idea.

I'm due with our second child in about 3 weeks and just wondered what it was like to have your water break. I'd love to hear/read some stories.

Thanks.

T.

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So What Happened?

Thank you all so much for the responses! It's so interesting for me to read other people's experiences and stories. From what I can gather, it's not something that I'll be in "question" about when it happens. With the weather how it's been, I'm sweating so much as it is that I often wonder if there's a leak or something - but it seems pretty obvious that if it does happen, I'll know it.

ANOTHER UPDATE: As it turned out, I went for my 38 week appointment on 8/14 and had protein in my urine, dialated to 3CM and less activity for the baby. I delivered that evening. I had pre-eclampsia so I had my water broken. It wasn't bad at all - just a mess. Lol. As it turns out, I guess I'm glad that I didn't have to deal with the mess!

Thanks again to all.

Thanks also to everyone with the well wishes!

T.

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L.A.

answers from Chicago on

I was lying down on the couch watching tv and I heard a POP! and it felt like a water balloon broke inside of me. Then there was SO MUCH fluid coming out from down there. It didn't stop! I ran to the bathroom and there was a trail of water following me. I sat on the toilet and it actually felt like I was peeing. Crazy experience :)

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L.S.

answers from Atlanta on

My water broke with my son 7 weeks ago when I laid down in bed to go to sleep. You will know when/if it happens - for me is was a small gush initially and then many subsequent gushes that kept coming constantly...good luck!

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C.D.

answers from Chicago on

My water broke on it's own with both of my boys...both exactly at 3AM (weird). With my first, I felt a little gush of water and that woke me up. I sat up, and a little more came. Then, I laid down and nothing. So, then I sat up again and nothing. Then, laid back down. Then, back up, and a little gush. So, I kept doing this for about 15 minutes and sometimes I had a gush, and sometimes not. So, I thought it must be uncontrollable peeing. Then, at 6AM, I woke up again and had a little gush. Then, up and down, up and down, for an hour. Then, at 7AM the contractions started. I called my OB and he told me to come to the hospital as I was group B strep positive and needed to know if my water broke. It had. He said it broke up top around my rib cage, and that is why when you lay up and down, you get some gushing, but not much. It has to make it through your body and out the bottom type of thing. Who knows, but he broke the bottom when I got there. I had my son at 1:12AM.

With my second, I woke up at 3AM to a little gush of water. Then, I got up right away to go to the bathroom and I was spilling all over the floor to the toilet. I kept yelling for my husband who was still in bed, but he never heard me- he's obviously a very deep sleeper. So, I had to get up and go over and wake him. You could tell by the carpet wetness exactly where I had walked. I grabbed a towel and used that to call the doctor. On the way to the hospital, I was ok because I was sitting- the head was blocking the opening. Every time my husband made a turn, a big gush would come out. Needless to say, this was a huge mess. My contractions had started about an hour after my water broke. I had my son at 12:10PM.

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N.D.

answers from Chicago on

I can't believe that you haven't had any other responses.

My water broke with my daughter, who was born this past February. It was the craziest thing. I actually heard a "pop" sound as I stood up from the couch and all of a sudden, there was fluid everywhere. I instantly knew what happened and called the Doctor. A c-section was performed 5 hours later. Which, by the way, isn't always the case but for me it was a necessity to do a c-section. Anyway, I'm glad that I actually got to experience that part of pregnancy. It was an interesting turning point and definitely makes for a fun story. :)

By the way, I read somewhere that a woman's water will break in only about 10% of all pregnancies, so that your friends haven't experienced it is not too surprising.

Hope this helps. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and do let me know if you want more details.

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N.M.

answers from Chicago on

HAR, My water broke while undergoing the Group B strep test a few weeks before my due date, on my Gyn's table. I didn't know it had broken, i figured i was just gushing w/ all the extra (ahem) juice i, as pregnant lady, had been producing, and was SO EMBARRASSED i even said "um, i think there might be a problem down there w/ excess leukoreah right now", my face in flames bec. my reg dr. gone, i had some man dr. (i'm a gal-gyno-goer), man dr. (who was awesome by the way) was like, um, okay just move toward me a little" as he was snapping on the rubber gloves and furrowing his eyebrows as i'm sure even as a doctor the word leukorreah (like episiotomy) gave him the willies as much as it did me. I moved maybe a 1/4 inch and it was a gusher, all down the front of the table, the floor, soaked the little paper thingy they give you to cover with! I looked at him laughing, i just couldn't not laugh, he said "that's not just any fluid! your water just broke!", took off the gloves and directed me to the ladies washroom. Ended up driving self to Central Dupg still laughing, where I parked at Valet, told the guy I was in labor and he shouldn't prob sit down on my car seat w/o newspaper or something, he said "oh this happens all the time" as he sat down on the little blue cottony waterproof thing my dr. gave me and got his buns soaked. THAT HAD TO BE maybe one of the more unpleasant days in that kid's life. I gave him $10 tip (all the money i had), and a more valuable tip -- to listen to pregnant ladies when they say don't sit in my seat! :) My 2nd child's water also broke, at 1230 at night, I felt a sharp pop when i lay back down after my midnight pee, and the labor pains started immediately after that, about 6 mins apart. I am pretty sure her head blocked the leak tho, as there wasn't too much fluid, a much less dramatic entry into the world.

All said, it's a good idea to get waterproof mattress pad... I can't say that I could "feel" that the water was ready to break on either occasion, but each time it did there was ENORMOUS relief.

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D.W.

answers from Chicago on

Yep, my water broke by itself around 11pm when I was settled in bed. It was just a gush and I put on a sanitary napkin. It continued to dribble until we went to the hospital around 7:30am (soaked through three pads). Around 4am, very very mild contractions started. We ended up having a c-section at 10:00am because the baby was breech. I was furious that we hadn't had a chance to try turning him before my water broke.

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A.

answers from Chicago on

My first was 10 days late and began with my water breaking. It was 4:00 in the morning and a warm trickle on my leg in bed woke me up. I ran to the bathroom, urinated, but when I stopped, and moved, more fluid would come out. Everytime I moved, more fluid would come out. There was a bit of blood with it too. Thankfully we were close to the hospital, but my daughter still had no intention of coming out without lots of encouragement (pitocin, etc). So my water broke without any other sign of contractions, etc.

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J.K.

answers from Chicago on

I had my water break with my second. I was laying in bed reading while my oldest was napping. He gave a huge kick, I heard a pop, and felt a gush of water. Kind of like I was peeing on myself :). I had time to get off the bed before I got it soaked. This was about 2 pm, and I went to the hospital around 4:30, after my mom arrived and I had time to do some dishes. By then I noticed some meconium in the water, and felt that it was time to go, even though I wasn't really contracting. When we got there, I started having contractions, and he was delivered at 9:52pm.

My water breaking was the easiest delivery. With my third, I just had contractions that kept starting and stopping and it took about 12 hours to get him delivered.

Good luck!

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C.Z.

answers from Chicago on

I was one of the lucky ones. YUK! It is like dumping pitchers and pitchers of water out of your you know where. It just keeps coming! You definately will know it. I had thought my water had broken because my pants were wet one day, so I went to the doctor only to find out I had a litle incontinence. 3 days later, at home, my water broke. I felt a lot of pressure on my uterus and bladder. It is kind of scary because you don't know how much time you have until the baby comes to get to the hospital. Anyway, good luck. I will be back in this situation in April! Looking so forward to flooding the bathroom again. :)

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D.P.

answers from Chicago on

My water broke with both of my kids. The first one was in my sleep. I just woke up wet and then I dribbled until I got to the hospital. My second one broke during a minor contraction. I honestly thought it was a little urine but when I went to the toilet, I felt the involuntarily dribbling. By the time I left for the hospital, it was gushing...very embarassing, luckily I was at home. Just remember, if you are not pushing or making an effort to go to the bathroom, and something is still coming out, then it is probably that.

Good luck!!!

Denise

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C.S.

answers from Chicago on

My water broke in bed at midnight. It was a small gush and I was like uh-oh. My hubby was like what and then it happened again but this time it was more. Thankfully we had a waterproof mattress pad on my side of the bed just for this reason, cant remember who told me to do, but thank god I did. I think I had a gush becasue I was laying down. If you are standing it should not be that bad cause the baby should plug the hole. I think???

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N.P.

answers from Chicago on

I was at the hospital around 4cm dialated (I think... can't totally remember). And my husband just got back from having some dinner and I felt a rush of water. It was so weird. I thought I had went to the bathroom on myself but didn't remember actually doing it if that makes any sense. For my son (they were twins... he was "baby b") the doctor broke his water. My only hope is that if we decide to try for any more children that I am in the hospital again when it does break as I can't imagine the mess it would be. And worse case, be at home. Good luck and congrats!

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K.K.

answers from Chicago on

One of my girlfriends had this happen 2xs. First time, in her bed...so I suggest putting a shower curtain under your mattress pad to protect your mattress. Second time, in the car...she suggests sitting on towels with some sort of water proof sheet under those.

Good Luck

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L.L.

answers from Chicago on

Mine broke with my first son. I got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, I sat on the toilet for so long that I fell asleep. I got up and was still going... HONEY! What? I think my water broke. I leaked the whole way to the hospital. it was not a small amounto of water, we lined the seat of the car with a plastic bag and towels. That is the first time I ever slept on the toilet. I had to have water added and I never delivered it was an emergency c-section. The secon kid was breach and the third had to be a planned c-section. I think it was so much water due to the fact that he was so high up and was never going to come out that way no how long we wait.

Good luck. I think it is usually the first it breaks with though. That was the case with my sister and mother as well.

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M.T.

answers from Chicago on

My water broke on me with both of my 2 boys. Trust me it is sooooo much better than having the doctors break it for you like my 3rd baby, it hurts! Anyway -- I just basically felt this gush of water that wont stop, and with both I made it to the toilet and when I look at the water you can see that it is very cloudy. So I knew that it is my amniotic fluid. There are no smell whatsoever. And it is best to stay sitting down in the toilet for a few more minutes longer because it will keep on trickling down...and oh...wear a napkin on your way to the hospital.

Also, my contractions was faster and stronger after like half an hour. Just keep in mind that all pregnancies/labor are different.

:-) M.
Founder of MomViews.net
--- Ongoing contest on UMI children's shoes - win a free pair for the kiddo

---- also check out my Mommy Blog -- I wrote about my labor story on my 3rd baby (she's 5 months now) if you are interested in reading. http://wantsugar.blogspot.com

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D.G.

answers from Chicago on

Hi T.-

My daughter was born 15 months ago and I remember it vividly! My water broke on it's own at home in bed. It was 3am and it actually woke me up out of a dead sleep (of cousre, the only night in 2 months I was actually sleeping good). I actually felt it happen (the actual burst) and for some reason flew out of bed and stood up. Then it just began pouring out of me. I thought I had read it was only a small amount, but it was actually a lot of fluid. And it just kept coming out for a few minutes. Even on the way to the hospital 3 hrs later, small amounts kept leaking out. There was no way I would not have known what it was. I think a few days before I accidently peed my pants a bit while laughing and thought briefly that might have been it. Then when it really happened, I realized there was no way. I've heard having your water broke at the hospital is a bit painful, I was thankful mine happened on its own. No pain, just a big mess.

Good luck with #2!
D.

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K.N.

answers from Chicago on

T.,
My water broke when I had my first son 5 months ago. I woke up at 6 am and felt a gush of warm water and thought I had peed my pants, so I got up and changed my underwear and a couple of minutes later it happened again. I finally realized my water had broken. By 7 am I was having hard contractions. I leaked all the way to the hospital, a very uncomfortable hour drive. I was 6-7 cm when we arrived at the hospital at around 9:30 am. My son was born at 6:30 pm that evening, I believe he would have been born much sooner but the epidural slowed things down.

K.

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J.J.

answers from Chicago on

Hi T.!

My water broke during my first pregnancy. I was squatting down to get someting from under my skin when I felt this littel squirt. It was odd but I didn't think anything of it. Then I felt it a little more. I thought maybe this was it..maybe my water broke. So I sat down on the toilet and it was like I was piddling but it kept going and going and going and going...and it was clear. So then I put a pad on and waited a little bit and sure enough, that was soaked.

I told my hubby that my water broke and he tried and tried to convince me otherwise. I never had a big gush like some have had, just a trickle. My sister in law did experience a big gush however.

My second my baby came early, but my water didn't break...

Hope this helps

J.

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C.G.

answers from Augusta on

I see that you have already responded but I wanted to tell you that everyone's water will break on its own eventually. It's just that often when a woman is at the hospital a doctor will break it to speed things up. Remember that having your membranes ruptured increases your risk of infection, cord accidents, and fetal distress. The benefit is that is may speed up labor (studies show by about 30 minutes maximum).

I know from experience having your water broken does make your labor more painful- I had it done to avoid pitocin. Remember that you have never seen a baby who has to live their whole life wrapped in the amniotic sac because it never broke;) It will break on its own- the average time is around 8 cm.

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N.L.

answers from Chicago on

My water broke on it's own, the minute I laid on the exam table in the OB Department. To me, it felt like the flood gates opening - a big gush, but a huge relief after it occurred.

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K.C.

answers from Chicago on

T.,
Not sure if you were asking about water breaking before labor or during but mine was during. My OB was wanting to break by bag and I did not want her to (we discussed beforehand). I was in labor (without any drugs) at the hospital and my water actually broke while I was sitting backwards on the toilet (don't ask, it was comfortable to sit there and lean over). It was a little weird but after it happened I just looked down and said "Ok, it's clear" to my doula and husband and kept right on laboring. Started to push a few minutes after that as I had just been at 9 cm when it broke. Good luck with your upcoming birth!

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J.

answers from Chicago on

Mine ruptured 4 weeks early with my 1st I didn't feel anything just wet my 2nd ruptured 5 weeks early again same thing didn't even know I was in labor and was induced and had them the next day.
Good Luck

J.

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A.Z.

answers from Chicago on

I had to have my water broke at the hospital prior to starting me on the meds to induce labor.

It feels like you wet yourself, only slimy.

Definitely, something you'll notice.

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E.B.

answers from Chicago on

My water broke 5 weeks early with my son. I am due again this thanksgiving. I hope life repeats itself again. I got home from a childbirth class at the hospital, took a nap, got up to go to the restroom (again) and there was an unusaul amount of d/c and I just keep leaking everytime I tried to get up. I put on a liner and went to tell my husband and I keep feeling the leaking, so I knew I had to go to the hospital. My delivery was fantastic after that. Like I said, I pray this happens to me again, and you too.
E.

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I.C.

answers from Chicago on

If I remember correctly, my OB/GYN told me that more women have to have their water broken after labor starts. There are those stories of water breaking at home or shopping or wherever. I had to have my water broken once I got to the hospital and already in labor.

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E.B.

answers from Chicago on

I had mine broken at the hospital and barely remember it, but a friend's sister had her water break while in line at Target - unfortunately, the horror stories actually do happen!

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S.B.

answers from Chicago on

When I had my daughter, I had to have my water broken for me to speed up my labor, but with my son, it broke on it's own. I gushed and thought our waterbed had sprung a major leak!LOL Boy was I wrong! Sometimes when your water breaks, it will be only a trickle, you never know until it happens. Good luck and best wishes with your new little bundle from Heaven!

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S.X.

answers from Chicago on

ohhhh yeah. 1am in bed, laying down with plastic under sheets just in case... i felt like a tidal wave... i grabbed the towel next to the bed and put it down there and stood up and even WITH the towel my pants were wet through down to my knees. It was no trickle for me. there was NO doubt what happened there! good luck! it was clear and was NOT stinky or anything, and it didn't hurt, it was kinda funny.

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L.

answers from Chicago on

I know I am responding late to this but my water did break on it's own, 6 days before my due date and at 2am. I found out afterward that 1am is the most popular time for water to break on it's own. It woke me out of a dead sleep and just seemed like it kept coming and coming even after showering twice. I finally told my husband to just take me to the hospital because I thought birth might come quickly after that. It was constant wetness.

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M.P.

answers from Chicago on

That's pretty sad that everyone you know had medical interventions in their births. My water broke on it's own and it was a crazy amount. I literally thought the baby came out. I actually yelled that out to my husband. I should be so lucky......Mine started leaking about 4 hours before it really broke though. THey told me that if it breaks "High" it could slowly leak which is what happened to me at home still. I thought that I was peeing on myself and kept running to the bathroom. But when it really happens, you'll know. Don't let them break your water for you. It's totally unnecessary, as you found out with your first son. Good luck with labor and delivery. You'll do great.

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A.G.

answers from Chicago on

My water broke on it's own with my first son. It was just a seeping of nasty wetness that didn't stop.

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M.H.

answers from Chicago on

I was like you with my son and the doctor had to break my water. But with my daughter my water broke at home and it doesn't hurt but it's not fun. It's like your going to the bathroom and you have no control. Then it stopped on the car ride and I thought "oh that wasn't so bad" and when I was in bed it would gush out every once in a while so I always felt wet. Nurses had to constantly change the pad I was lying on. But of course it's all worth it in the end when we get to take home our beautiful babies. Good luck.

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