Hollywood tends to depict your water breaking as the first sign of labor, followed by a crazy precipitous birth. However that is not usually the case. Your water could break before contractions begin (known as prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM)), it could break during labor, while you’re pushing OR the baby could be delivered en caul (still inside an intact amniotic sac). If there’s one constant about births, it’s that they’re unpredictable!
Regardless of when your water breaks, there are a few things to note when that time comes. And it’s easy to remember… just think TACO.
T- Time
What time did your water break?
A – Amount
How much came out? Was it a gush or just a little trickle? Your sac could have completely ruptured, or there could just be a little “hole”, which affects how much water comes out.
C – Color
Was the water clear or green/muddy colored? The presence of color could indicate that the baby has already had a bowel movement (meconium).
O – Odor
Amniotic fluid should be odorless.
If you think your water has broken, make sure to contact your care provider and share that information with them! And don’t forget TACO. \
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