DID MY WATER JUST BREAK ?
One of the most common reasons that patients come in for evaluation is to determine if the amniotic sac has ruptured . In general , “ water breaking ” will be a large gush of fluid that gets your clothes and legs wet . Furthermore , most women continue to complain of leaking fluid after their water is broken . If your water has broken , you should report to the Maternity Evaluation Unit at the UAB Women and Infants Center ( 1700 6th Avenue South , 3rd floor ).
Many women will have a heavy vaginal discharge or will leak urine during their pregnancies . Sometimes this will be confused for your water breaking . If you are unsure whether your water has broken , put on some dry undergarments . If these new undergarments get wet , your water has probably broken .
AM I IN LABOR ?
Irregular contractions
• Also called “ Braxton Hicks ” contractions or “ false labor ”
• Irregular in timing
• Mild in strength
• Do not cause you to go into labor
Pre-Term Labor
• Onset of painful , regular contractions before 37 weeks of pregnancy
• If you are having more than 6 painful contractions in an hour , please call the MEU ( 205-975-6105 ) for instructions .
Term Labor
• Regular , painful contractions
• Wait until contractions are the same intensity and 3-5 minutes apart for one hour before going to the MEU for labor evaluation .
56 My Prenatal Care Book