What If You Are In Labour And Your Water Breaks?

There are conditions in life not to joke with and for women, what if you are in labour and your water breaks?

The question becomes more tenable when it is the first experience, or she has not exposed herself to sufficient tutoring either by the hospital or peers.

Perhaps, going through the crucial stages before birth – in what experts call the latent stage of labour – could be helpful to many women.

What Is The Latent State Of Labour?

According to NHS, the latent stage of labour is where your cervix starts to soften and open (dilate) so your baby can be born.

It explains further that the woman may begin to feel irregular contractions, but it can take many hours, or even days, before she is in established labour.

“At this stage, your contractions may range from being slightly uncomfortable to more painful. There’s no set pattern to how many contractions you get or how long they last.

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During the latent stage, it’s a good idea to have something to eat and drink because you’ll need energy for when labour is established”.

Breathing exercises, massage and having a warm bath or shower may help ease pain during this early stage of labour.

When Does It Become Necessary To Contact A Midwife?

Sometimes, pregnant women may want to rely on experience if they had been through it a number of times, but there are precautions if your water breaks.

If a woman has established labour, – where your cervix has dilated to about 4cm and your contractions are stronger and more regular –  then certain urgent steps need to be taken.

Call A Midwife For Guidance If

1. you think you’re in labour
2. you’re having regular contractions coming every 5 minutes or more often
3. you’re worried about anything
4. your waters break
5. you have vaginal bleeding
6. your baby is moving less than usual
7. you’re less than 37 weeks pregnant and think you might be due

For detailed advice on if you are pregnant and your water breaks, contact NHS