03/18/2026
• What to do if your waters rupture •
One of the most common questions I get asked as a birth doula: “I think my water broke. What do I do?!”
And honestly — it makes sense. We’ve been taught to expect this big, dramatic moment as the start of labor… but that’s not how it unfolds for most people.
People envision a huge, theatrical gush of fluid, racing to the hospital, screaming then having a baby. That is just an entertaining TV episode or movie scene. That is not how labor unfolds in most cases. (Hint: screaming signals to your body that it is unsafe - using low tones tells your body it is safe, relaxes the pelvic floor and lets your nervous system stay regulated 😉)
If your water does break before contractions start, there are a few simple, important steps to take — and knowing them ahead of time can make all the difference in how calm and confident you feel.
Save this for later (you’ll be glad you did), and share it with your birth partner so you’re both on the same page.
