What comes first? Water breaking or contractions?

Question

Does your water break or start to trickle then you notice contractions later or do you notice contractions then your water breaks? If your water breaks or is releasing a little at a time you would begin to feel other labor symptoms, right? I am only 30 weeks but getting anxious about the whole experience. Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

I was induced so my water broke after contractions started. However, my contractions got WAY stronger after the doc broke my water.

Answer 2

For me, my water broke first. It was like a dam breaking, a huge gush. Actually that's what started active labor. I was already in the hospital on magnesium sulfate trying to keep the baby in longer. But once that happened at 32 weeks, there was no stopping it. Some babies are actually born in an intact amniotic sac. So it could really go either way. Good luck to you.

Answer 3

My water broke 4 hours before I ever started having contractions.  A friend of mine was the same way.  Her water broke, but she wasn't having any contractions, so she went shopping!  I'm not sure how much later she started having contractions though.

Answer 4

You aren't necessarily going to have your water break before going into labor.  I have just had my fourth child, and in each case, the doctor either broke my water after labor began or to start it.  You may or may not notice the early contractions of labor, either, since they aren't much different than Braxton-Hicks contractions; they are just more regular and build in intensity.  I know you probably don't want to hear it when you're looking for reassurance, but you will know when you really are in labor, even though it may be totally different from any experience anyone else may relate to you.  You will recognize the change in contractions, and there will be other signs that let you know the time has come.  Good luck!

Answer 5

i had contractions my water didnt break until right before my daughter came out But every one is diffrent some peoples water breaks first. Good luck

Answer 6

It varies woman to woman and even pregnancy to pregnancy in the same woman.  Sometimes the water breaks first and sometimes you notice the contractions first.  I had contractions that dilated me but would stop after a while.  When I was dilated to 4 cm but the contractions had stopped again the doctor broke my water.  Contractions after your water breaks are much more intense than any you experience prior to your water breaking.  Some women have contractions that continue on that are very strong up until it is time to push and then the water breaks right before they give birth.

Labor contractions can be hard to tell from Braxton Kicks.  However, when your water breaks you will definitely be able to tell.  It feels like you lost control of your bladder and peed on yourself but it is a bit slimy.  It can be a sudden gush or a steady trickle.  It won't smell like urine at all though.

Answer 7

lets see, first time i had contractions,nurse broke my water about 9 hours later.

second time, water leaked, 12 hours later, i had my first contraction.

everytime can be different, everyone is different.

Answer 8

it depends with each woman. My water broke at home and then i went to the hospital, and didn't have contraction until i was in the car. All my friends had contractions for couple of days and then went to hospital, some waters broke on it's own at hospital and some got broken by doctor.  

Answer 9

With my first I was having contractions and 4cms dilated.. My water didn't break until I was about 6 or so cms dilated.. but its different for each woman.

Answer 10

I was induced. The doctor broke my water.  Contractions started right up after that.

Answer 11

i was dilated to 5 they put me in the hospitol and induced my labor i wasnt having any contractions...they broke my water then i started to have contractions...30 weeks today pregnant with #5...all of my kids have came around 37 weeks and they all have been induced good luck w/everything!!

Answer 12

Your water may NOT break until you are delivering. Labor & your water breaking are not necessarily going to happen together. I have had 3 kids & my water never broke before delivery with any of them. If you think you are in labor don't wait for your water to break.  If your water breaks don't wait for labor to begin to see a doctor. Waiting too long can cause a dry birth & could put the baby at risk.

Answer 13

It depends on the woman. Sometimes the water might not even break up until when you're doing to deliver, so the doctor pops it for you otherwise they would get gushed with water. For some women, the water break is their sign that their labor has begun, and others is the beginning of the contractions.  

Answer 14

Usually contractions start first. (On on tv does labor always begin with the water breaking.)  

Only in about 10% of cases does the water break first.  Usually, once that happens. labor contractions will start within a few hours.

If contractions start first, your water will usually break in late labor -- unless the doctor gets impatient and breaks it for you.  

Answer 15

i was in labor then they had to break my water...it is always different for every woman....the best of luck

Answer 16

this is different for everyone. with my 1st i had contractions for 15 hours and my water never broke, they broke it at the hospital. with my second my water broke and the contractions did not start until much later.

Answer 17

For me it was contractions. My water never broke on it's own so the doctor did that in the hospital. But my sister's water broke and she didn't have contractions until after. So I think it depends on the person. My water was always a big gush. After they broke my water the labor would intensify.  

Answer 18

Every pregnancy is different - with my first my waters broke and I never had contractions, I had to be induced. And with my second the midwife broke my waters when i got to 6cm - my contractions were already every few minutes but after my waters went they were almost constant and hurt like h**l. I'd wait for them to break naturally if I was in that position again.

Answer 19

I don't think there is a specific rule to it. A lot of people have to have their water broken for them at the hospital after they go into labor. You should check into taking a childbirth class at your hospital. They can answer questions like these as well as fill you in on hospital policy and what to expect during your stay.

Answer 20

Only about 15% of women have their water break before they go into labor.  Most start having contractions first.  If your water does break first, however, prepare to have the contractions begins very soon afterward.

Answer 21

You should begin having contractions to some degree before your water breaks. Once your water breaks, that leaves you and your baby open to infection. Either way, with or without contractions, as soon as your water breaks, call your doctor and head over to the hospital, because you WILL be having that baby!! Congratulations and good luck =]

Answer 22

My water broke and I never did have contractions.

Answer 23

I have delivered 3 children out of 5 pregnancies. All three had contractions prior to the water breaking. #1 and #3 were broken by the doctor and #2 was broken by a good swift kick from my son while I was being prepped for delivery in the hospital. (It sounded like a water balloon popping) I know you have got to be sick of hearing it, but there will be NO QUESTIONS as to when you go into labor, and everyone is different. I'm am sorry that pregnancy has so many uncertainties. You are almost done! Hang in there! Best Wishes!

Answer 24

my water broke and it trickled for hours and i started noticing little tiny contractions that SLOWLY increased...after 8 hrs, pitocin was started, then the contraction were horrendous...not trying to scare you, just bein real!!! every experience is different, so don't rely too much on other ppls stories...yours will be your own