Does it seem like you've sprung a leak? Bladder control issues are common during pregnancy, especially toward the end. You may, however, be wondering if you're actually leaking amniotic fluid — and whether your baby is on the way.

Here's what you need to know about leaking amniotic fluid during pregnancy, including the signs to watch out for and when to call your practitioner.

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Key Takeaways
  • Leaking fluid isn't always your water breaking, but you'll want to be sure. Bladder leaks are common in late pregnancy, but a steady trickle or gush of odorless or slightly sweet-smelling fluid could be amniotic fluid. When in doubt, check in with your practitioner to be safe.
  • Timing matters. Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) is when your water breaks at or after 37 weeks but before labor starts. Preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) means your water breaks before 37 weeks. PPROM is less common but more serious.
  • Quick care makes a big difference. There's no way to prevent PROM or PPROM entirely, but prompt treatment — including antibiotics, possible steroids, and close monitoring — greatly improves outcomes for you and your baby.

What is premature rupture of membranes (PROM)?

Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) is the medical term for when the membrane sac holding your baby and your amniotic fluid breaks open — aka your water breaks — at or after 37 weeks of pregnancy, but before you're actually in labor.

"My water broke early in the morning, but I didn't have any contractions," says What to Expect Community mom soft-pretzel. A few hours later, thinking it was nothing because she still wasn't having contractions, she called her doctor just to make sure. "They instructed me to head to L&D, and thank goodness I did because by the time I was admitted it was clear I had PROM!"

What is preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM)?

Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is when a membrane rupture and leaking of amniotic fluid happens before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

"I had PPROM with my first at 34 weeks," says What to Expect Community mom BNA2022. "I was able to keep baby in until 35 weeks! Baby did great with no NICU time thankfully."

Symptoms of leaking amniotic fluid

The main symptom of PROM or PPROM is the leaking or sudden gush of fluid from the vagina. You can tell whether you're leaking amniotic fluid and not urine by taking the sniff test:

  • If it smells like ammonia, it's probably urine.
  • If it has no smell, or a somewhat sweet smell, it's probably amniotic fluid.
  • If it smells foul, it may be infected amniotic fluid.

If your water has truly broken, you may notice more leaking when you're lying down than when you're standing, sitting, or walking. That's because when you're upright, your baby's head blocks the cervical opening and keeps most amniotic fluid trapped inside.

"Mine broke one day before my first's due date and at 38 weeks for my second! Just a little bit both times, not a gush like the movies," says What to Expect Community mom gato22.

Unsure? Call your practitioner to be on the safe side.

Track your symptoms and get personalized answers in the What to Expect app.

Causes of leaking amniotic fluid

In most cases, a rupture of your amniotic sac is just a prelude to the onset of labor within the next 24 hours. It happens because the sac weakens and eventually breaks as your uterus contracts and your cervix effaces and dilates (thins and opens).

But sometimes membranes can rupture before you're in labor because of things that weaken, inflame, or put pressure on the amniotic membrane, such as:

Who is at risk of premature rupture of membranes?

In addition to having any of the potential causes listed above, you may also be at higher risk of PROM if you smoke during pregnancy or had a previous early membrane rupture.

How common is leaking amniotic fluid during pregnancy?

It's not very common for your water to break before you go into labor:

  • PROM (at or after 37 weeks) happens in about 8 to 15% of pregnancies.
  • PPROM (before 37 weeks) is less common, occurring in about 3% of pregnancies. But it's more serious, since it comes with the risk of premature labor and birth before 37 weeks.

Risks of leaking amniotic fluid

Possible complications of PROM and PPROM include:

What should you do if you're leaking amniotic fluid?

If you think you're leaking amniotic fluid at any point during your pregnancy (or even if you suspect you might be but aren't sure), call your doctor. They can help you figure out if your water really has broken and the next steps to take.

If your membranes rupture and you're at least 37 weeks along, your labor is likely to begin on its own within 24 hours. If contractions don't start on their own, your doctor may recommend inducing labor. Either way, you'll likely meet your baby soon!

If your membranes rupture earlier than 37 weeks, and it's too soon for your baby to be safely delivered, your doctor will likely recommend antibiotics to ward off infection and may hospitalize you for close monitoring.

"I started leaking fluid at around 18 weeks," says What to Expect Community mom mapleleaf9906. "At 23 weeks, they saw my fluid was low and admitted me to the hospital to stay until baby arrived ... I was induced at 34 weeks and baby was very healthy."

You'll also likely get a dose of steroids to help your baby's lungs mature more quickly in case of an early birth. Depending on how early you deliver, your baby may need to be in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) before coming home.

"I have an almost 13-month old who I had PPROM with at 27 weeks 4 days," says What to Expect Community mom JReyes2020. "I stayed in the hospital until 34 weeks 1 day and delivered by C-section. He only stayed in NICU 9 days."

Can you prevent premature rupture of membranes?

There's no guaranteed way to prevent PROM or PPROM. But you can lower your risk by attending all of your prenatal appointments, eating well, and not smoking.

The important thing is to know the warning signs and contact your doctor right away if you suspect your water has broken. As long as PROM and PPROM are diagnosed and treated promptly, odds are very likely that you and your baby will be fine.