What Happens When Your Waters Break?

If you're pregnant, you might be curious about your water breaking — when it will happen, what it will feel like and what to do next. Recognize the signs of water breaking and know what it means for the timeline of your baby's delivery.

Once the waters have broken, the seal around your baby is no longer there to prevent bacteria reaching your baby. It is for this reason why internal vaginal examinations are best avoided once your waters have broken. 

You are at higher risk of infection if your waters are artificially ruptured by your doctor or midwife (AROM – artificial rupture of membranes) as they are reaching in your vagina, up to your cervix where the baby’s head is, to break the waters or do exams etc. 

About video: The midwife explains to Joy that she is going to try and break her waters and what she needs to do in order to break Joy's waters.