The unborn child is in the amniotic sac, which surrounds it protectively – embedded in the uterus. The bladder consists of a total of two layers. The first is called the chorion and the second is the amnion. The two together are called the membranes of the egg. Although they are incredibly thin, they turn out to be extremely strong and very elastic.
Your baby is very well protected in the egg membrane and optimally protected against external and also internal influences. This means that possible impacts, but also pathogens can hardly harm the little human child in the womb.
Here you can find out what to do if your water breaks.
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If Your Water Has Broken: This Is What You Should Know
Once you go into labor, your water usually breaks. The fact that the water has broken indicates, among other things, that birth is now imminent. Thus, the bursting of the bladder in combination with the onset of labor is a typical indication of the imminent onset of birth.
The uterus is a muscle that moves with the onset of birth. These contractions are accompanied by the discharge of a plug of mucus. Usually, a bloody discharge is an additional consequence. In this regard, it is referred to as drawing.
Has Your Water Broken? Soon The Time Has Come
As soon as the amniotic sac has broken, the amniotic fluid comes out. In some cases, the woman feels a small, lukewarm gush of fluid running down her legs. In other pregnant women, however, only a few droplets of fluid trickle out of the vagina.
This, however, is continuous. Sometimes the expectant mother suspects that the fluid that is oozing out is urine. However, an appropriate test performed by the gynecologist often provides a clear picture.
A normal rupture of the bladder usually occurs in the second phase of the opening period of birth. In this so-called active phase, the pregnant woman experiences contractions at a rate of about three to six minutes. During this time, the cervix also opens.
As a result, the baby’s head moves further down into the birth canal. If the cervix is fully open, the amniotic sac usually ruptures. If this does not happen, the “rupture” is performed by the midwife or by the attending physician.
To do this, a small hook is used to scratch a tear in the membranes of the egg. The baby’s body, as well as his or her movements, rapidly cause the opening to rupture further until the amniotic sac is broken or completely ruptured.
There Are Five Different Types Of Ruptured Bladders
1) Premature rupture of the water is usually a clear signal that it is now time to take the pregnant woman to a hospital immediately. This is because if the water has broken – and even before the first opening contractions – it can be a danger to the unborn child.
2) When we talk about the bladder breaking early, it means that the amniotic sac has broken while the opening contractions have started. The cervix is not fully open at this time.
Usually, the obstetrician waits for the further course for a short time before initiating further necessary measures.
3) If, on the other hand, the water has broken at the optimal time – i.e., when the cervix has fully opened – one can generally assume that the birth will proceed smoothly. Such a situation is called “timely rupture of the amniotic sac”.
4) Delayed rupture of the amniotic sac is when the amniotic sac has broken only during the expulsion phase. Consequently, during this phase, the cervix has already been open for a while. The baby’s head can usually already be seen, and not too much time will pass until the end of the birth.
5) A pitfall of the so-called high bubble rupture is the invisible opening when the amniotic sac has broken. In this case, the bladder opens in the upper area, so that the fluid only comes out drop by drop.
Bowing to this, it is not always immediately recognizable when or whether the amniotic sac has broken. Often the gynecologist will help you and break the bladder.
How To Distinguish Amniotic Fluid From Urine
Healthy amniotic fluid is generally odorless. This is different from urine, which is characterized by a slightly bitter or acidic odor. In addition, the fluid that comes out of the amniotic sac is colorless or transparent. Compared to urine, it lacks yellowish coloring in any case.
Tip
If you have the feeling that the amniotic sac has broken, you can play it safe and find out on your own as follows.
- Lie down in a horizontal position and make sure that your pelvis is elevated on a firm pillow, if possible. Place your feet on the support, if possible.
- Wait for about half an hour or 50 minutes.
- As soon as you get up from your bed after this time and fluid comes out, it is most likely amniotic fluid. This means that your water has broken.
You can get further proof by getting test strips from your doctor. It is best to do this at the beginning or in the middle of your pregnancy so that you have the test strips available in time just in case.
If the test strip discolors on contact with the escaping fluid, it is almost certainly amniotic fluid.
Good To Know
If the rupture of the amniotic sac occurs between the 28th and 36th week of gestation, the doctor will perform an examination of the strength of the lungs of the still unborn baby. If the lungs are already strong enough, the birth will most likely be induced.
However, if it is determined that the lung activity is still too weak, you may be given a contraceptive. The aim of this is to delay the birth for a while so that the child can develop further and vital organs can develop more strongly.
A premature rupture of the membranes that occurs after the 37th week of pregnancy should not worry you at first. If a premature rupture of the membranes has occurred, the doctor often waits for a period of about 24 to 48 hours to find out whether labor has begun.
epending on the physical constitution of the child, it may be necessary to induce. Alternatively, it is conceivable that a cesarean section may need to be performed to minimize the risk of infection.
In the event of a rupture or rupture of the bladder, it is possible that the two egg membranes, the amniotic fluid, or the lining of the uterus may become infected by germs or bacteria. This must be prevented in order to protect the life of the unborn child as best as possible.
If The Amniotic Sac Has Broken, This Is To Be Expected
If the amniotic sac has broken, the amniotic fluid may come out in a gush. Statistics show that this is extremely rare. However, it is also possible that the amniotic fluid will come out minimally, but almost continuously. Accordingly, some expectant mothers only notice that their water has broken with a time delay.
What To Do When Your Water Breaks
When we talk about the so-called rupture of the membranes, we are certainly not referring to a rupture of the bladder, but of the amniotic sac. Premature rupture of the membranes can, under certain circumstances, be associated with a certain increased risk for both mother and child. Especially if the rupture of the bladder occurs too early a week of pregnancy.
It happens that the bladder does not burst even when the lowering or opening contractions have already started. It is then common for the obstetrician or midwife to open it with a fine hook. This is intended to stimulate or activate the contractions. Such a procedure is referred to as bladder bursting.
In extremely rare cases, it is conceivable that a baby is born in its still undamaged amniotic sac. According to ancient tradition, this fascinating phenomenon is called a lucky bubble.
Notice
If the amniotic sac breaks too early or before the onset of labor, direct contact with the attending physician or midwife is inevitable. In almost 99 percent of cases, labor will begin on its own within the next 24 hours.
Moreover, it is also possible that the bladder does not burst completely, but that only a tear forms. This will close on its own within a very short time. If it is still a while until the planned date of birth, the bladder must be regularly examined by a doctor.
This is because the risk of infection is relatively high due to the formation of cracks. If an infection does occur, the expectant mother is often given an antibiotic. At the latest, it is then necessary to induce birth within a few hours. The aim is to ensure that the unborn child does not come into contact with the administered medication if possible.
Conclusion
If the amniotic sac has broken and amniotic fluid is leaking as a result, this sounds frightening for many an inexperienced mother-to-be. However, in most cases, you do not need to worry about a rupture of the membranes.
A rupture of the membranes is something that can happen almost at the end of any pregnancy. It is only important to find out whether you have a premature rupture of the membranes, a timely rupture, or possibly an early rupture of the membranes.
Direct communication with the midwife or your gynecologist is necessary in any case so that you receive the best medical care from the beginning. Immediate examinations provide information and offer you and your unborn child maximum safety.
Being well advised and cared for is the ideal way to prepare yourself for the birth.
