What does waters breaking feel like?

[Babyonboard101]

Might seem stupid but I'm 38+ with ds1 and I'm terrified I'm going to not know my waters break. I know some people say it feels like you've wet yourself etc but I don't want to rely on my trousers getting wet or a wet patch on my seat. So what did it feel like for you? Like you'd missed the loo or is it completely different? Tia

I had contractions first and then my waters broke. All I can say is that for me there was no mistaking that for an accidental wee. You know when it happens! One thing I didn't know is that you have fore and hind waters. My hind waters broke when I was on the labour ward later on - that freaked me out!

First time they pop them, sensation was like pee coming out. There was no pop.
Second time was in the pool and it was like peeing in the water. 3rd time it was 2 pops while sitting in the chair, sensation was like poped knuckle and then water everywhere.

Both times I reached for something on the bedside table at 38/40 weeks and the strain was too much! It felt like wetting myself but gloopier and could feel it come down my vagina.

Forgot to add, with both babies mine broke and then had no contractions for 24 hours. So was gushing all day every time I stood up and panicing that baby would run out of fluid... but midwife said it replaces itself! It was a weird sensation, waters flowing but not a sniff of pain or cramps.

Tickle, pop, then gentle gush.

Mine broke in the bath. I didn't feel it but dh came in and asked why I'd weed in the bath. I got out and it just kept pouring out

With my first, overdue by 11 days, I was lying on a bed in the antenatal ward waiting to be induced and felt a sudden gush. I was so naive I thought the.baby was lying on my bladder and got up to go to the toilet. I did think it was a bit odd that I couldn't stop the flow but it was only when I got there that I realised what had happened. Up until then I' was not aware that anything had been happening but when the midwife examined me I was already 5cms dilated. It took another 12 hours for me to reach the point where I was ready to push and dd was delivered soon afterwards.

A slight popping sensation then liquid escaping no matter how much I tried to clench it in. Those few desperate steps across the large shiny hospital lobby to ask for the nearest loo were hard work! More liquid escaping/gushing with each contraction!

Second time, I was in active labour, on all fours on a high bed, midwife down at the business end checking things out. Waters broke IN HER FACE with spectacular gusto. She was soaked head to foot!

Mine spontaneously ruptured with all three DC, and each time there was a resounding 'thunk' then gushing fluid. Bit of a weird feeling, really.

Does it clean up easily if they break while you're in bed?!

Lally I intended to put a towel under the bedsheet from 38weeks, but I didn't get chance. Luckily we had a mattress protector on the bed.

A normal washes and it was all fine. DH sorted it whilst I did hypnobirthing downstairs!

It smelled horrid though, like semen.

I heard/felt a pop and then the water rushed out. It was 1am in the morning and I was downstairs by myself. It was so quiet maybe that's why I heard it.

Mine broke on my mother in laws new carpet we'd gone round to have a look and I was only 35 weeks so I didn't think there was any danger. Stood up and felt a pop and a gush.

Lovely puddle on it, she was fab about it luckily.

Lally and fan
A mattress protector is so useful! Not only in case of waters breaking (or leaking) but also if you breastfeed in bed or have leaky boobs at night!
I've got a breathable one that doesn't feel plasticky at all, you can't tell it's under the sheet.

Mine broke when I was being induced. I'd had the 24hr pessary, I was in bed in the labour ward at 6am. I got this feeling like when your period starts and you just know something is moving inside your vaginal. I got out of bed and quite a bit came out, trousers were soaked, had to limp to the toilet!! I knew it wasn't pee as I had no control over it, kind of like when your period is heavy and you get out of bed and you can feel it coming out.i wear pads and not tampons so this was a familiar sensation for me I suppose

With my second baby a few months ago, mine went at 5am in bed. When I got up to start getting dressed, bag, toddler sorted etc I was leaving a trail wherever I went and my DP was following me wiping up so no-one slipped (it's really gloopy!) and then toddler following him as he was in a clingy phase... it must have looked so funny! He then dropped me at hospital and dropped me at the entrance, when I stood up I gushed down my trousers and into my shoes, had to walk through the hospital leaving another trail! Left a huge puddle in the lift.. thank christ no-one was around as it was early.
DP said he'll never forget the smell of it when he cleaned it up.. meaty and metallic

First time I was 39 + 1 and had been having back pain.Got up in the middle of the night and had a hot shower on my back. Was getting out of the shower and DH came to see what I was doing.Waters broke all over the bathroom floor and his feet. There was a lot of it! I got back in the shower and he cleaned up and then he had a shower. We went to the hospital a couple of hours later.
Second time during labour in hospital.

I felt a pop when I was lying in bed. Stood up and gush! There was no mistaking it. Felt like how a heavy period feels after that - uncontrollable leaking.

I've had two DCs but I've honestly no idea! First time I was induced and when they broke my waters there was no water left! Baby came out all dry and wrinkly. Second time it must have occurred on the toilet, I wasn't aware that it had even happened!

Mine felt like a strong ping and then a hot gush. I definitely felt mine. It was a very sting and strange.

Mine was like the movies! With all 3 pregnancies. A pop then waters went. Contracyions 10 mins later 3 minutes apart.

With my first waters broke when I was already in labour and had lost the plug. Didn't even really feel it. Was already in hospital.

With my 2nd waters trickled for 3 days before labour. Felt a bit like period - just a bit coming out at a time. Needed a pad but nothing more.

With my third I woke up in the night and felt a 'pop' and a gush. Big wet patch on the bed.

So all different for me.

I was at home and felt absolutely nothing, certainly no cramp or pain, next thing my feet were wet. Not a massive flood or anything but certainly if you were out there would be a wet patch. If you are worried a tena lady should cover it.

Mine went while being induced. Was dosing and felt a twang and woke thinking who has fired an elastic band at me up there, it was that kind of sensation, whilst hearing a pop at the same time. Then warm fluid all under me and onto the floor off the bed. It was bliss, a massive release of pressure (twins) I loved it and lazily just pressed the buzzer for help to get up. Contractions started immediately.