What to do when your waters go
ROCG Guidelines link to official leaflet
When your waters breaks - advice and what to expect (pprom - preterm rupture of your membranes before 37weeks.
You be informed to put a pad on and see if you have any more leakage however this is our advice and what should happen to confirm if your waters have gone and what it means for you and baby;-
If you suspect your waters have gone, other well know as preterm pre-labour rupture of membranes before 37 weeks;-
1. Put a pad on.
2. Do not lift anything heavy
3. Go to a maternity hospital straight away, if you are under 20 weeks and in the UK if you live close to a bigger hospital such as St Mary's in Manchester or St James in Leeds then go there.
4. You will be looked at by both a midwife and doctor, I would highly recommend asking for a consultant. You will then be asked your pregnancy history and any previous births.
5. They will then do a vaginal inspection, and either a doctor or midwife will use a speculum to check your cervix to see if they can detect amniotic fluid. They will also be able to tell if the cervix is changing, and looking for signs if you are preparing to go into labour.
6. A specific test of fluid to see if your waters have broken, be aware these tests are not 100 percent accurate.
7. Ask for scan ASAP, they should send you for a ultrascan ASAP to check the amount of water around the baby.
8. Midwife or doctor will check your baby's heartbeat.
If your waters have been suspected you will have the following happen to you:
9. You should be admitted into hospital.
10. You will have regular monitoring of your baby
11. they will monitor you for signs of labour.
12. they will do regular tests & monitor you for infection which will include having your temperature taken and pulse taken.
13. they will do a blood test.
14. they will do a vaginal swab to check to see if you have group b strep (group b streptoccocus)
15. You maybe offered a emergency stitch, if this is not offered ask about this option, there are risks with this, but at least you know what is available.
16. You can ask them to treat you to stop your labour, your are within your rights,
If at any stage you want a 2nd opinion, do not hesitate to ask for a consultant or a other consultant, at the end of the day, it is your baby and your health.
Other links to other PPROM sites throughout the world;-
There is hope if your waters do break early (pprom), its knowing what to do to help you carry to full term.
If you go into labour in the UK under 24 wks, the medical staff will inform you that your chances of carry to term is a very low percentage, we believe with the right care it is possible, choices should be up to the parents, and we have to live with which ever outcome.