Stupid Question: How much water is there when your water breaks?

Is it like a cup? A gallon?

Excuse my ignorance. I'm just curious.

I don't know if I should start wearing some sort of protection when I am at work???

Re: Stupid Question: How much water is there when your water breaks?

Re: Stupid Question: How much water is there when your water breaks?

My water was broken artifically in the hospital, but once they broke it, it kept gushing with almost every contraction. I remember askng the doctor how much more could possibly be in there. I don't think as much actually came out with each gush as it felt like though.

Re: Stupid Question: How much water is there when your water breaks?

I don't know - but mine broke when I was in triage waiting to get into labor and delivery - about 15-20 mins after my 1st internal at the hospital. It broke on its own. Honestly I was really embarrassed b.c at first I didn't realize it was my water that broke I thought at first I peed on myself but then it kept gushing and dripping.

Re: Stupid Question: How much water is there when your water breaks?

I think just 'how much' depends on you and your body and when you give birth - on average it's about 3 cups.

For some people it gushes out and others it trickles over a period of time.

Re: Stupid Question: How much water is there when your water breaks?

i believe there are a lot of variables....

for my mom - she told me that she had NO idea her water broke....i had dropped and my head was blocking the 'gush' - she had a trickle and assumed she was just having an 'accident'. She had an OB appointment the day i was born and HE told her - um, Diane, your water is broken! She was stunned!

Re: Stupid Question: How much water is there when your water breaks?

Mine was a trickle. I definitely felt wet, almost like I urinated on myself. Then it was progressively more. The majority of my water broke in the hospital bathroom on the bathroom floor.

Re: Stupid Question: How much water is there when your water breaks?

Mine was a gush (in my mom's car ) and then with every contraction I felt like I was peeing on myself.
It was enough that my 3-yr old sister was in the backseat complaining "wet" and I thought it got back to her (turns out she spilled her sippy of water on herself )

Re: Stupid Question: How much water is there when your water breaks?

Posted by SweetCaroline

Mine was a gush (in my mom's car ) and then with every contraction I felt like I was peeing on myself.
It was enough that my 3-yr old sister was in the backseat complaining "wet" and I thought it got back to her (turns out she spilled her sippy of water on herself )

Re: Stupid Question: How much water is there when your water breaks?

When my water broke it was more like a leak not a gush. So for me a thick pad did the job until I got to the hospital.

Re: Stupid Question: How much water is there when your water breaks?

There is appx. 1 quart of amniotic fluid in your belly by 37 weeks. When my water broke at home, it felt like gallons came out!

Re: Stupid Question: How much water is there when your water breaks?

My water broke at home & it was just a trickle...I barely knew my water broke.

Re: Stupid Question: How much water is there when your water breaks?

I learned in lamaze that it depends on how the baby (particularly its head) is positioned.

(this is a drawing of water being broken by a doctor)
If the baby is really low, you will get that initial gush and the head will act as a stopper for the remainder of the fluid. As you (and the baby) move, water will trickle out. If the baby is away from the opening, there will be more of a gush since there is nothing stopping it. Does that make sense?

Message edited 2/25/2009 2:13:32 PM.

Re: Stupid Question: How much water is there when your water breaks?

When my water broke- it looked like I peed my pants!

Re: Stupid Question: How much water is there when your water breaks?

Now I'm nervous this will happen to me at work or in public. Or anywhere for that matter. Maybe if I wear those big overnight pads right around when I am due I will be ok?

Re: Stupid Question: How much water is there when your water breaks?

A LOT But with some people when the water breaks it leaks slowly and with some its a whoosh and there it goes, NON STOP,lol.
So unless you can wear adult diapers , I don't think just regular pads will help that much.
On the second thought though I guess the pad will help for a little bit, so you have time to get to the hospital.

Re: Stupid Question: How much water is there when your water breaks?

For me........when my water broke it was like someone turned on a faucet. I NEVER stopped gushing. Once it broke I continued to lose water until she was born. I never expected to lose so much water but everyone is different.

FYI - Most people actually never even have their water break so chances are you won't even have to worry.

Re: Stupid Question: How much water is there when your water breaks?

Posted by dediko

A LOT But with some people when the water breaks it leaks slowly and with some its a whoosh and there it goes, NON STOP,lol.
So unless you can wear adult diapers , I don't think just regular pads will help that much.
On the second thought though I guess the pad will help for a little bit, so you have time to get to the hospital.