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Losing the waters: all you need to know about losing the waters
Losing the waters, what does that mean?
Throughout pregnancy, the baby is bathed in amniotic fluid, contained in an amniotic sac made up of two membranes, the chorion and the amnion, elastic and perfectly hermetic. This environment specific to all mammals keeps the fetus at a constant temperature of 37 ° C. It is also used to absorb noise from the outside and possible shocks to the mother’s womb. This sterile medium is also a valuable barrier against certain infections.
In the vast majority of cases, this double membrane does not rupture spontaneously and frankly until during labor, when the pregnancy has come to an end: this is the famous “water loss”. But it can happen that it cracks prematurely, usually in the upper part of the water bag, and then lets small amounts of amniotic fluid flow continuously.
Recognize amniotic fluid
Amniotic fluid is transparent and odorless. At first glance, it looks like water. It is indeed composed of more than 95% of water rich in mineral salts, provided by the mother’s diet. by the placenta. But there are also fetal cells and proteins essential for the growth of the fetus. Not to mention, a little later in the pregnancy, small white particles of vernix caseosa, the protective fat that covers the body of the fetus until birth.
If there is a leak during pregnancy (premature cracking of the membranes), doctors can analyze the leaking fluid (nitrazine test) to determine its exact origin.
When the pocket of waters breaks
There is little risk of missing out on the loss of water: when the water bag ruptures, the membranes suddenly crack and almost 1,5 liters of amniotic fluid suddenly leaks. Panties and pants are literally soaked.
On the other hand, it is sometimes more difficult to recognize leaks of amniotic fluid due to a crack in the membranes because they can be confused with urinary leaks or vaginal discharge, frequent during pregnancy. If you have the slightest doubt about a suspicious discharge, it is best to consult your doctor or midwife to accurately identify the origin of the leak. A crack in the membranes can indeed expose the fetus to the risk of infection and / or prematurity.
Premature water loss: what to do?
Any leakage of amniotic fluid at a distance from the term, whether frank (loss of water) or resulting in a few drops flowing continuously (cracking of the membranes) requires going to the maternity ward without delay.
After the loss of water at term, departure to the maternity ward
Water loss is among the signs that labor is beginning and it is time to prepare to leave for motherhood, whether or not it is accompanied by contraction. But no panic. Contrary to what movies and series can leave, losing water does not mean that baby will arrive within minutes. The only imperative: do not take a bath to relieve the contractions. The water bag being broken, the fetus is no longer protected from external germs.
It should be noted
It can happen that the pocket of water is particularly resistant and does not rupture on its own. During labor, the midwife may then have to pierce it with a large needle to speed up labor. It’s impressive but absolutely painless and harmless to the baby. If labor is progressing well, it is possible not to intervene and the water bag will then rupture at the time of expulsion.