How to Cope if Water Breaks in Public

Usually if your water is going to break, you may feel a slight pop and notice a ton of fluid gushing down your legs. You may also notice a slight trickle of fluid that may be confused with urine leakage. If there are any questions, please contact your care provider. If you're pregnant and close to your due date, you may be concerned about your water breaking in public.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Sanitary pads
• Change of clothes

1. Remember that membranes rupture before contractions begin in less than 11 percent of women. Chances are it won't happen to you, so don't be shy about leaving your house the last few weeks of your pregnancy.
2. Consider carrying thick sanitary pads in your purse, just in case.
3. Find a restroom as soon as you can if your water breaks in public. If you don't have any sanitary pads, purchase one in the restroom and place it into your underwear to catch the amniotic fluid. Paper towels will also work, but not for long since you will continue to leak fluid until the baby drops down to fill the birth control and block the flow of water. You cannot use tampons or insert anything into the vagina due to the risk of infection for you and your baby.
4. Stash an extra set of clothes, panties, a towel and thick sanitary pads in your desk at work if you are worried about your water breaking in public and are working up until your due date. This way you can change your clothes, put a sanitary pad in your underwear to catch the fluid and put a towel on your car seat as you head to the hospital.
5. Pay attention to any pre-labor signs you may have. Pre-labor signs include a burst of energy, flu-like symptoms, extreme crankiness, bloody show, loss of the mucus plug, increase in pre-labor contractions and lightening or feeling the baby drop into the pelvis. Having any of these signs may be an indication labor is approaching and an indication your water may be breaking soon.
6. Contact your care provider to find out when they want you to come into your birthing facility if your water breaks in public. Most birthing facilities will insist you come in as soon as possible.