Usually the rupture of membranes, sometimes called the breaking of the waters, signals the onset of labor within twenty four hours. This is usually a sign to pack your bags and prepare for the trip to the labor room.
But in some cases pressure from the baby's head will rupture the membranes a week or more before labor contractions begin. You may find yourself wondering if and when labor will start and how next to proceed.
As little as a few drops or up to a cup of clear, yellow or greenish, odorless fluid may leak from your vagina. Many women simply think that they have wet their pants. Signs that the membranes have ruptured are continuous or recurrent leakage.
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The breaking of the waters or the rupture of the membranes indicates that labor contractions will begin. In ninety percent (9 in 10) pregnancies labor will begin within twenty four hours.
About ten percent of pregnancies experience premature rupture of membranes. About one third of those result in a premature birth. Premature rupture of membranes most frequently occurs between week twenty eight and week thirty four. Half of those pregnancies will enter labor within 48 hours, and over 98% will be in labor within a week.
Your doctor will prepare for labor and delivery and after a few days of monitoring in hospital you may be sent home for rest. You will be asked to exercise certain precautions including taking showers instead of baths and abstaining from sexual intercourse. Your doctor will ask you to monitor you temperature every 4 - 6 hours. Should your temperature rise or if you experience abdominal pain these may indicate infection of the amniotic fluidThe liquid, which is produced by both the fetal membranes and the fetus that surrounds the baby during pregnancy. The liter of fluid at term serves to protect the fetus during pregnancy and also provide active chemical exchange.
The amniotic fluid consists of maternal and fetal plasma in varying concentrations. The pH of the fluid is almost neutral and clear, although lipids and desquamated fetal cells can make it cloudy.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. and labor will be induced.
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