What Happens When My Water Breaks?

• The “water” is amniotic fluid that surrounds me in your uterus.
  
  
• You may feel like you have peed yourself.
  
  
• It will be clear and will not have a bad smell.
  
  
• If your water breaks before your labor starts, your first contraction will likely be within 12 – 24 hours.
  
  
• Talk to your doctor or call the hospital right away when your water breaks.
  
  
• Your water my not break until you are well into your labor or your doctor or nurse may need to break the bag of water for you.

What Happens When I Have Contractions?

• The muscles in your uterus tighten and relax over and over.
  
  
• This “work” of the uterus causes the cervix to open up so I can move down to your vagina and be born.

How Do I Time My Contractions?

• Use a watch with a second hand.
  
  
• How Long? : Time between beginning and end of a contraction.
  
  
• How Far Apart? : Time between the beginning of one contraction and the beginning of the next.