Is it possible to strain so hard that you rupture your waters?

[Tucanparadise]

As I type this I know how stupid it sounds. But honestly I've never strained so hard in my life and I'm scared I've done something to the baby. I was pushing like I was in labour for a good hour and it was so bad I gave myself a rectal prolapse, which has thankfully started to resolve itself. Pregnancy is so dignified...

Everything I read says straining on the toilet cannot affect pregnancy/the baby, but I'm not sure anyone in the world has ever strained like I've just done. Could I have ruptured the sac? Risked preterm labour? I've got some backache now and I'm so paranoid.

Any words of wisdom or reassurance? I'm 25 weeks btw.

Try not to worry I seriously doubt you've done any harm, if you had ruptured your waters then water would be leaking from you. Maybe ask the gp if they could prescribe stool softeners if they are safe to take during pregnancy

No, baby is very safe in there. Although constipation is common in pregnancy the level you’re describing is not. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water, eating lots of fibre and if it persists you can take stool softeners in pregnancy. You don’t need to suffer like that

Thanks so much both. I know objectively that it's so unlikely (perhaps impossible?) for something like that to have an affect on baby. But I find it so hard to believe that I could push that hard and inflict that level of damage to my bottom, yet not do any damage to the cervix or to baby.

I am currently on stool softeners. Have tried both lactulose and Fybrogel. Back to the doctor for an increase in dosage I think!

@Tucanparadise are you adding things into your diet too?
I also struggle with horrible constipation (I currently have a fissure) and having a bitty orange juice every morning helps an unbelievable amount.
Prune juice is supposed to be amazing too.

@firsttimelondonmummy thanks for the tip! I've started drinking 3l of water a day and having all bran every morning and it has honestly changed my entire life 😭 I've never gone so easily. I'm shouting it from the rooftops!

@Tucanparadise honestly diet is key!!! So glad you’ve sorted it ❤️
Don’t know why people rush to medicate when you can often fix with a diet tweak!

@firsttimelondonmummy thank you! It's changed my life! 😂🤎 Totally agree on the diet Vs medication point. Almost everything can be improved with a change in diet! Always thought this and am now a firm believer!!

I was on the toilet having a poo, not constipated and my waters broke. I think it was coincidence though as I wasn't straining hard and I was 37 weeks with too much water around the baby anyway. Once I got off the toilet I kept leaking water so it was very obvious that my waters had gone.