How do I know for sure if my water broke?

AnneBell95 · January 2015

im 35 weeks pregnant and ever since last night I've felt about a hand full of water come out of my vagina. It's been happening all day. I've called my doctor and am waiting for her to call back. Has this happened to anyone else before if so what was causing it??

misshart00 · January 2015

AnneBell95 said:
Just to let everyone know I saw my doctor today for my regular appointment and she said I'm dilated half a centimeter like she could stick the top of her finger in but my water didn't break it was just clear discharge and that it was normal. What I find weird is that I wasn't dilated last night when they checked at L&D but I'm dilated half cm today? Has this happened to any one before between 35 and 36 week??

Yes, you can be dilated that early and stay that way for weeks. I'm currently 35 and 3cm. It happens.

PikoPiko · January 2015

AnneBell95 said:

Just to let everyone know I saw my doctor today for my regular appointment and she said I'm dilated half a centimeter like she could stick the top of her finger in but my water didn't break it was just clear discharge and that it was normal. What I find weird is that I wasn't dilated last night when they checked at L&D but I'm dilated half cm today? Has this happened to any one before between 35 and 36 week??

Sounds normal. The dikation's gotta start at some point, right? I'm 34 weeks and 2cm dilated. Just a heads up, the internal exam might cause spotting for the next few days.

munchkin8590 · January 2015

You should probably go to the hospital.... Just saying...

excitedbride11 · January 2015

You'll def know...go to the hospital because your risk of infection just increased. Good luck!

cndupree15 · January 2015

Labor and delivery. No other answers would be appropriate

Dannylion24 · January 2015

Personally I'd go to the hospital, but someone a few weeks ago mentioned that (if dr approves) you can take one of those AZO tablets for UTIs that turn your urine a diff color so that way you'll be able to tell if the liquid is pee or not ... But again, I'd probably head to L&D.

Good luck!

mandamoochie · January 2015

You're on the right track with calling your doc. Just try to breathe, drink some water and wait for your doc to call you back with actual medical advice.

Now, my real question is - how much is a 'handful' of fluid? Is that a technical term?

mandamoochie · January 2015

Hmmm. See that's why I ask about what a handful is... to me a handful isn't much. If it was freak out amount, yeah - go to the hospital. When my water broke, I didn't have a movie type water break - but there was no doubt in my head what happened.

Let us know whatcha do OP.

chicagojackie · January 2015

Last time my water broke I totally knew because there was a burst of glitter and rainbows. So obvious.

amt0312 · January 2015

When the OB broke my water, it was a huge gush. But leaks are another story. Go to L&D.

crispywheats · January 2015

chicagojackie said:
Last time my water broke I totally knew because there was a burst of glitter and rainbows. So obvious.

chicagojackie · January 2015

crispywheats said:

Last time my water broke I totally knew because there was a burst of glitter and rainbows. So obvious.

JUST LIKE THAT. South Park made that because of me and DD.

Outstanding @crispywheats

chicagojackie · January 2015

We need to start answering these questions with more South Park GIFS I think.

MommyOfAMiracle · January 2015

chicagojackie said:

Last time my water broke I totally knew because there was a burst of glitter and rainbows. So obvious.

Whaaaaaaaaat?!?! Lucky!! My water hasn't broken yet, but I can only imagine that when it does, it'll be a burst of pizza.

chicagojackie · January 2015

MommyOfAMiracle said:

chicagojackie said:

Last time my water broke I totally knew because there was a burst of glitter and rainbows. So obvious.

Whaaaaaaaaat?!?! Lucky!! My water hasn't broken yet, but I can only imagine that when it does, it'll be a burst of pizza.

You can tell when moms are originally from Chicago because it is deep dish pizza, actually.

MommyOfAMiracle · January 2015

chicagojackie said:

MommyOfAMiracle said:

chicagojackie said:

Last time my water broke I totally knew because there was a burst of glitter and rainbows. So obvious.

Whaaaaaaaaat?!?! Lucky!! My water hasn't broken yet, but I can only imagine that when it does, it'll be a burst of pizza.

You can tell when moms are originally from Chicago because it is deep dish pizza, actually.

I bet. :P

However, being from SoCal my burst of pizza is a bit more on the flimsy side. I don't know which is better. Deep or flimsy. Either way, it's coming out by the "handfuls".

maltwin1 · January 2015

I've heard the rule of thumb that is if you fill up a panty liner in an hour go to L&D. My water broke with a leak then I had a small gush, then it was a very strong leak until I got to the hospital. Even a regular pad wouldn't cut it (didn't have the heavy duty ones yet) so I had to put a new born diaper in my underwear to stay dry on the drive to L&D. True story.

misshart00 · January 2015

Agree with PP, go to L&D.

FWIW, it took me 3 hours to realize my water had indeed broken with DD. It broke on the toilet and H told me it had. Psh. I didn't believe him. I showered, did my hair, makeup, etc. When he finally pushed me out the door, I was convinced at the hospital when it was splashing out of the pad I put in my underwear.

AnneBell95 · January 2015

More then the glitter picture

HayleyBug55 · January 2015

I don't know. I leak quite a bit. It's usually a mixture of pee and this awful discharge. Go to the hospital as PP have said. It could take forever for the doctor to get back to you. Mine even forgot about me one time! Better safe than sorry. And I'm with the others. What is a handful? I imagine you catching it in your hand when I read that. :-/

MommyOfAMiracle · January 2015

@Annebell95 - Has your physician called you back yet??

AnneBell95 · January 2015

Yes she called back shortly after I posted and I'm now at L&D waiting to get hooked up to the monitor

HayleyBug55 · January 2015

@AnneBell95‌ Kepping us updated. Hope all is well!

acpruchnik · January 2015

crispywheats said:

chicagojackie said:
Last time my water broke I totally knew because there was a burst of glitter and rainbows. So obvious.

)

MommyOfAMiracle · January 2015

@AnneBell95 - Good Luck!

AnneBell95 · January 2015

My water has not broken and my cirvix is still closed but I am havin contractions.

Maple403 · January 2015

Keep us posted @Annebell95. I'm glad you are being monitored, hopefully the baby stays put a little longer.

tropicbreeze · January 2015

Hope everything turns out ok!

Lrjjj08 · January 2015

My doctor told be to put a pad in, and if it fills up in an hour then to go to l&d and call her on the way. My water has never broken though and this is my third pregnancy! Good luck!

maltwin1 · January 2015

Better safe than sorry! I'm glad you went in.

CoachAP · January 2015

Just a question that raised from this post but my L&D doesn't let us in unless the Doc calls in first to let them know we are coming. For everyone responding go right to L&D, is that not the case? I mean i guess you could go to ER and then they would potentially send you up, but my first call for any labor, water breaking, etc needs to be to office first as well...

ETA: good luck, AnneBell

misshart00 · January 2015

CoachAP said:
Just a question that raised from this post but my L&D doesn't let us in unless the Doc calls in first to let them know we are coming. For everyone responding go right to L&D, is that not the case? I mean i guess you could go to ER and then they would potentially send you up, but my first call for any labor, water breaking, etc needs to be to office first as well...

ETA: good luck, AnneBell

Last baby I had, I didn't call my doctor first. My water broke and it was pretty obvious. They confirmed ruptured membrane and then checked me in to the hospital. I don't even think they contacted my doctor until I was checked in.

misshart00 · January 2015

It won't let me edit my post but on my hospital tour, they said to go to L&D triage with any problems, not the ER as the procedures are different when you're pregnant.

usmcwife89 · January 2015

CoachAP said:
Just a question that raised from this post but my L&D doesn't let us in unless the Doc calls in first to let them know we are coming. For everyone responding go right to L&D, is that not the case? I mean i guess you could go to ER and then they would potentially send you up, but my first call for any labor, water breaking, etc needs to be to office first as well...

ETA: good luck, AnneBell

My L&D will send you down to ER where you have to check in and register then the ER sends you right up to L&D if you are anything past 20 weeks. When my OB admitted me to L&D I did not have to go through ER first.

To OP- any OB and any birthing/prenatal class I've ever taken says if you think your water broke, go to L&D to be checked asap.

mandamoochie · January 2015

Yeah, general practice within my group is a call before going to L&D. They have a 20 minute call back window.

misshart00 · January 2015

musicgirl524 said:

CoachAP said:

Just a question that raised from this post but my L&D doesn't let us in unless the Doc calls in first to let them know we are coming. For everyone responding go right to L&D, is that not the case? I mean i guess you could go to ER and then they would potentially send you up, but my first call for any labor, water breaking, etc needs to be to office first as well...

ETA: good luck, AnneBell

I guess that's true, everybody's situation is different. I have a great situation where I can walk right into L&D (or call with questions) at any time, it doesn't matter, and they'll get you into triage and hooked up right away. They also actually tell you NOT to go to the ER, because they have the special L&D triage. Of course you can always call your doctor as well if it's not after hours (and doesn't appear to be an emergency).

Edit: Words

Aren't you in OK? I wonder if we're talking about the same hospital.

misshart00 · January 2015

musicgirl524 said:

misshart00 said:

musicgirl524 said:

CoachAP said:

Just a question that raised from this post but my L&D doesn't let us in unless the Doc calls in first to let them know we are coming. For everyone responding go right to L&D, is that not the case? I mean i guess you could go to ER and then they would potentially send you up, but my first call for any labor, water breaking, etc needs to be to office first as well...

ETA: good luck, AnneBell

I guess that's true, everybody's situation is different. I have a great situation where I can walk right into L&D (or call with questions) at any time, it doesn't matter, and they'll get you into triage and hooked up right away. They also actually tell you NOT to go to the ER, because they have the special L&D triage. Of course you can always call your doctor as well if it's not after hours (and doesn't appear to be an emergency).

Edit: Words
Aren't you in OK? I wonder if we're talking about the same hospital.

@misshart00 yes, I'm in the Tulsa area though, I think you're in OKC?

Yep. So probably not the same hospital. Darn.

maltwin1 · January 2015

I've never heard of your doctor needed to call ahead to get into L&D. I guess that would cut down on the false alarms. My OB told me that if I'm ever unsure whether or not I might be having contractions or my water might have broken, go straight to L&D and let them decide for sure. Better to go into early than too late.

AnneBell95 · January 2015

Just to let everyone know I saw my doctor today for my regular appointment and she said I'm dilated half a centimeter like she could stick the top of her finger in but my water didn't break it was just clear discharge and that it was normal. What I find weird is that I wasn't dilated last night when they checked at L&D but I'm dilated half cm today? Has this happened to any one before between 35 and 36 week??

thegoodpotato · January 2015

maltwin1 said:
I've never heard of your doctor needed to call ahead to get into L&D. I guess that would cut down on the false alarms. My OB told me that if I'm ever unsure whether or not I might be having contractions or my water might have broken, go straight to L&D and let them decide for sure. Better to go into early than too late.

My midwife's policy is to phone her first, then she approves a move to the hospital, if necessary.

It was the other way around where I lived before - you went to L&D first, and they called the doctor if they needed him.

Just depends on where you are or who you're dealing with.

mrsclark731 · January 2015

During my labor class our instructor told us that doctors like to be called so that they know what is 'on their radar' while they are on call. She said doctors can sometimes get salty if you show up out of no where and they don't know how to plan their day. Of course, if it is an emergency I don't think they care or it would matter...but if you can, call.

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