Your "water breaking" happens when the amniotic sac that cushions a fetus ruptures, and the fluid that is inside it flows out of the vagina. You will realize that this has happened when amniotic fluid—which is clear, thin, and odor-free—either leaks slowly or gushes out of your vagina. Generally, your water breaking signals that you have entered or are about to be in labor.

Amniotic fluid protects a developing fetus during pregnancy. Once it drains from the amniotic sac, the risk of infection increases. The earlier in your pregnancy that your water breaks, the more serious it is for you and the fetus. For this reason, a healthcare provider may consider inducing a full-term pregnant person if they do not go into labor within a day after their water breaking.

Here’s what you need to know about your water breaking, including when to call your provider or go to the hospital. 

Verywell / Jessica Olah

Some people may feel a trickle of fluid that they cannot control or a gush of water downward out of their vagina. Other people feel a dampness in their underwear that looks like they've peed or had a heavy vaginal discharge.  

You can usually tell the difference between your water breaking and vaginal discharge or a small urine leak by how much is coming out. If the fluid soaks through your underwear or a pad over a short time, it is probably amniotic fluid.

Vaginal discharge can sometimes be confused with amniotic fluid. You can tell them apart by how they look, feel, and smell.

Amniotic fluid is clear, thin, and odorless. Discharge can be as well, but it tends to become whiter, stickier, and thicker as pregnancy progresses. If you have any discharge that does not fit this description, tell your healthcare provider.

If you notice you're leaking amniotic fluid, use a pad to absorb some of it. Look at it and smell it to make sure that it’s not urine. 

Amniotic fluid and urine can be distinguished based on how they smell. While urine has a strong odor, amniotic fluid does not smell or can be mildly sweet-smelling. 

The flow of your water breaking is different than leaking urine. Amniotic fluid will flow down more while you're standing if your water has broken, and it may also flow continuously. You should not have any pain with the flow of amniotic fluid.

Most pregnant people will go into labor within 12 hours of their water breaking, but it can happen much sooner. Once labor begins, it can take between 10 and 24 hours (or more) to progress through the three stages of labor before your baby is born.

After your first delivery, the labor you have in your next pregnancy will usually take less time.

If you think your water has broken, call your healthcare provider immediately. There are also some other signs along with a discharge that mean you should call your provider as soon as you can:

In some cases, you may need to seek emergency medical attention. Do so if you:

Your healthcare provider may recommend intentionally breaking the water bag around the baby (the amniotic sac) in order to start labor or speed it up. Sometimes, this step is to help you avoid a C-section.

Normally, your water will break during labor. However, your water can also break before you go into labor. When your water breaks early, it's called prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM). Your water usually breaks after you have reached 37 weeks of pregnancy. If your water breaks before 37 weeks, it's known as preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM).

PPROM affects 2% to 3% of all deliveries and can cause problems like:

The cause of PROM is unknown in most cases. While most people whose water breaks before labor do not have risk factors, there are certain things that can make PROM more likely:

Your water must break before your baby can be born. If this does not happen naturally, your provider may have to artificially rupture the membrane.

Contractions in your womb can be delayed for a few hours after your amniotic sac breaks. If you are 37 weeks or more and they do not begin within 12 to 24 hours, your provider may have to induce labor to decrease the risk of infection. Depending on your risk factors, your provider may recommend that you are induced immediately.

Sometimes, your water breaks when the fetus moves its head into the pelvic region in preparation for delivery, which puts pressure on the membrane as they prepare for labor. 

The uterus keeps making amniotic fluid until the baby is born. You may still feel some leaking, especially right after a hard contraction.

Pay close attention to the fluid in your pad. It should be clear and not have a bad smell. You may notice a faint pink color and mucus, and this is normal. After using the bathroom, wipe carefully from front to back to avoid dragging bacteria into your vaginal canal. 

Water breaking in pregnancy is necessary for delivery to begin. It can happen on its own or your provider might need to artificially break the sac. Your water usually breaks when you have reached week 39 of your pregnancy. Some pregnant people may feel a sudden gush of fluid, while others just notice some dampness or trickles down their thighs.

Your water breaking often occurs after labor begins, but it can also happen before. The amniotic fluid should be clear and odorless. If your water breaks, you should call your healthcare provider immediately.

If you have any trouble telling if your water has broken, call your healthcare provider.