Is It Normal to Have Water Leakage / Breakage During Pregnancy?

Bharti Singh, one of India’s most loved comedians, recently became a mother for the second time. In her vlog, she candidly shared a deeply emotional moment from her pregnancy journey that many expecting mothers could instantly relate to. Describing the experience, Bharti said it felt like “ऐसा लगा जैसे अचानक पेशाब निकल गया…” when she woke up to find her bedsheet completely wet early in the morning.

What followed was fear, confusion, and an urgent rush to the hospital-because it wasn’t urine. It was her water bag breaking, a natural but often alarming sign that labour may be approaching.

Her honest experience is a powerful reminder that water leakage/breakage during pregnancy is common-but understanding it correctly is extremely important for the safety of both mother and baby.

Image Source: Cleveland Clinic

What Is Water Bag Breakage During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the baby grows inside a fluid-filled sac called the amniotic sac. This sac contains amniotic fluid, which protects the baby, helps lung development, and maintains a stable temperature.

When this sac ruptures, amniotic fluid starts leaking out. This is commonly referred to as water breaking or water leakage during pregnancy. It often signals that labour is about to begin, though the timing can vary.

How Does Water Breaking Feel?

Water breaking does not always feel dramatic like in movies. For many women, it can feel:

• Like a sudden gush of fluid

• Or a continuous trickle that doesn’t stop

• Often clear, odourless, and warm

• Difficult to control (unlike urine)

As Bharti Singh shared, it can easily be mistaken for urine initially-especially when it happens suddenly during sleep.

How to Tell the Difference: Water Bag Breakage or Urine?

This is one of the most common confusions among pregnant women.

Amniotic fluid:

• Colour: Clear or pale yellow

• Smell: Odourless or mildly sweet

• Control: You cannot stop the flow

• Continues even after emptying bladder

Urine:

• Colour: Darker yellow

• Smell: Strong ammonia-like

• Control: Can usually be controlled

• Stops after using the washroom

If you are unsure, always treat it as water leakage during pregnancy and consult your doctor immediately.

What Happens After the Water Breaks?

Once the water bag breaks:

• Labour may start within 12–24 hours

• Doctors closely monitor for infection

• Vaginal examinations are minimized

• In some cases, labour may be induced

If contractions don’t start naturally, your gynaecologist will guide the next steps based on gestational age and your baby’s condition.

Expert Insight: “Water leakage during pregnancy should never be ignored. Even if there is no pain or contraction, it is important to seek medical attention immediately to avoid infection and complications.” - Dr Prachi Sarin Sethi

Can the Water Bag Break Early?

Yes. This condition is known as Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) and can occur before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Possible causes include:

• Infections

• Weak membranes

• Previous preterm delivery

• Smoking or nutritional deficiencies

Early water breakage needs immediate medical care to protect the baby’s lungs and prevent infections.

When Should You Call the Doctor?

Call your doctor or go to the hospital immediately if:

• You experience sudden water leakage

• Fluid is green, brown, or foul-smelling

• There is fever or reduced baby movements

• Leakage happens before 37 weeks

• You are unsure whether it’s urine or amniotic fluid

As Bharti Singh did-calling her doctor right away and heading to the hospital without delay-prompt action makes all the difference.

Why Awareness Matters for Expectant Mothers

Bharti Singh’s experience resonates with thousands of pregnant women because it highlights a real, vulnerable moment-fear mixed with uncertainty. But it also teaches an important lesson: knowing the signs of water breakage during pregnancy can prevent panic and ensure timely care.

Every pregnancy is unique. Some women may feel pain, others may not. Some experience a gush, others a slow leak. What matters most is awareness and quick medical consultation.

Conclusion

Water leakage/breakage during pregnancy is a normal physiological process, but it must never be ignored. Understanding how it feels, how to identify it, and when to act empowers expecting mothers to stay calm and safe.

If you are pregnant and ever feel unsure about fluid leakage, trust your instincts-seek medical advice immediately. Being informed is the first step toward a healthy delivery and a safe motherhood journey.