Most women, who break their waters at home, do so without any problems, and there is no need to panic, or rush into the hospital. Occasionally though, a woman may be told by their caregiver that they are at risk of prolapsing the cord, after her belly is felt during a routine pregnancy visit. This is because the baby is lying in a transverse, or breech position, or the head is unusually high. Those women are usually advised to come into the hospital in early labour, before the waters break, or come in as soon as the waters have broken.
If you know you are at risk, and the waters break with a large gush (as opposed to a small trickle), then you may wish to wash your hands and gently feel inside the vagina for the cord. It would feel like a soft, rubbery, slippery bulge and be pulsating in tune with your baby's heartbeat.
If you are at home, and you either feel the cord in your vagina, or see it protruding out of the vagina then:
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Contact an ambulance immediately, ringing 000 (in Australia), or the RFDS (Royal Flying Doctor Service). Or get your partner to do this. |
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Get into a knee-chest position (on all fours), with your buttocks being higher than your shoulders. This encourages the baby to gravitate towards your diaphragm, and away from the vagina. Stay in this position until the ambulance arrives. |
Image 5-33 shows the pregnant woman in a knee-chest position.