Can Your Water Break While You’re Peeing?

Can your water break while you’re peeing?  It is a good questions as to if it’s  amniotic fluid or urine coming out?  In this article we’ll talk about how to tell if your water has broken or if you’re peeing while on the toilet.

First off, hello! I’m Hilary — many people know me as The Pregnancy Nurse 👩‍⚕️. I have been a nurse since 1997 and I have 20 years of OB nursing experience, I am also the curly head behind this website Pulling Curls and The Online Prenatal Class for Couples. 🩺​ I’ve talked a lot of women who think their water has broken and then gone on to test it with them. It’s just not as clear-cut as it seems — so I’m glad you’re here!

Can your water break while peeing?

Yes, it can.  Honestly, your water can break at any point in time, but I do hear a lot of people having their water break while in the shower or using the restroom.  I’ve definitely heard people “relax” to pee on the toilet and then feel a pop and their water comes out.

However, it’s complicated, and sometimes you may think it’s a gush of amniotic fluid instead of pee — so let’s keep talking about how you tell the difference between the two.

And yes, labor can seem really complicated, but I can simplify it for you right in here.

How to tell if you’re peeing or your water broke:

Here are a few ways to tell if it’s actually your water breaking or if you’re peeing.

Note:  It can be confusing because you may not be able to stop the flow of urine like you used to as baby’s head presses down on your pelvic floor and everything’s different at that point.  So, that can’t always be a “sure sign”.

Feel a Pop?

Now, not everyone says they feel a “pop” but a good number do feel that.  Of course, it can be hard to tell when you’ve got baby kicking like crazy at that point in your pregnancy.  But, that’s something to consider.

And yes, keep making sure baby is kicking while you’re figuring this one out:

Water keeps coming out

This is the biggest indicator.  If there has been a rupture in your amniotic sac it will continue to leak fluid even after the initial amount of fluid.

Amniotic fluid is mostly made of baby urine and we all know that continues to keep coming out.  As it collects in your vagina or just leaks you will feel a trickle or small gushes if your water is broken.

Of course, this is also confusing since you may have changes in vaginal discharge where that area feels just more wet than usual either way.  So I have a tip for this too….

Where is it coming out of?

Remember you have 3 holes down there:

• Rectum (where poop comes out)
• Vagina (baby birth canal)
• Urethra (pee hole)

Amniotic fluid would be coming out of your vagina, and if you’re on the toilet you can put your hand there to see if it’s coming out of your vagina or your urethra.  Or, if that gross you out, use a wad of toilet paper on each “hole” to see where the wetness is coming out.

Still not sure?

Your provider has a test called Amnisure that can check to see whether your water has broken.  It can really be confusing to tell if your water broke so I glad we have this test.  Your provider may be able to do it in their office, or they may send you to labor and delivery to know if your water has broken.

The just put a long Q-tip into your vagina and hold it there for a minute or so, and then they test it (similar to a pregnancy test).  This is looking for proteins that are just in amniotic fluid so you can be sure if it’s broken or not.  It can, however be a problem if there is any bleeding or if you’ve recently had sex.

SO, if there is ANY question in your mind if your water has or has not broken do check with your provider.

Can I wait a bit to see if it’s broken?

Most often yes.  

The biggest issue with your water breaking is it being broken for hours or days without you knowing.  That allows an infection to possibly develop and travel up the birth canal to the uterus.  Prior to your water breaking, your uterus was enclosed with the bag of fluid protecting baby, but once that membrane is ruptured, baby can have issues like that.

However, waiting a few minutes or even an hour most often isn’t an issue — but if you have ANY questions do talk with your provider.  If they tell you to come right in, you can even ask them if it would be OK for you to wait a bit at home to see what else happens and see what they say.

But, definitely time to pack your hospital bag. 😉

Water Breaking vs Pee FAQ’s:

Will I start into labor once my water breaks?

Most often it does, or you were already having contractions without really knowing it and then they pick up steam once your water breaks.

Studies show the vast majority go into labor within 24 hours but not everyone does.  Waiting for other signs of labor can be problematic if your water is actually broken, so be sure to talk with your provider if you you’re not sure.

If your water breaks before you’re in labor it’s called premature rupture of membranes (and if it breaks before you’re 37 weeks it’s PPROM — preterm premature rupture of membranes).

Some providers want to induce labor if it hasn’t started before a certain number of hours.  So it’s important to contact your healthcare provider to see what they recommend for you.

If my water doesn’t break at home what happens?

They will break your water in the hospital. 

Most people, in fact, don’t have their water break while they’re not in the hospital.  Only about 15% break on their own.  The rest are broken while the patient is in labor by their provider or on its own during active labor.  

If your provider breaks it, it’s called artificial rupture of membranes (or AROM).  They will use something that looks a crochet hook to snag the bag of water and make a hole in it.

Even when they break water in the hospital sometimes there is just a trickle of fluid.

I actually say not to get it broken until you feel ready for it, and I give you all the tips on talking to your provider about that in the healthcare communication bonus video in here.

What if I’m really early when my water breaks?

It is still possible for your water to break (but less likely).  If you think your water has broken, even if you’re early on in your pregnancy call your provider. They will want to be sure to mitigate any risk of infection to you or the baby.

Remember when your water breaks before 37’ish weeks it’s called PPROM — preterm, premature rupture of membranes.

Is there a way to tell if my water is going to break?

Not really, there aren’t a whole lot of signs that water will break.  I do share some other things to watch for in my post on signs your water will break post.  

The biggest sign is when your’e in labor.  So, it’s not horrible to sit on a towel or a puppy pad (or one of these — love those) if you’re in labor at home (or in your car).

I am in labor and my water broke, what do I do now?

I think this a good sign it’s time to head to the hospital.  Rupture of membranes often makes labor pick up a bit and may shoot you into active labor.  BUT, any questions do talk with your provider.

I will say that knowing about the rupture of the membranes is way more confusing than most people give it credit for.  It seems like it would be really clear (and often it is) but it’s also often just not very clear cut!

A lot of labor (and being in the hospital) is like that, which is why I recommend EVERY couple take a prenatal class. This one can be done in just a few hours, it’s fun and on budget!

Or, if you’re not quite ready for the full class, check out my free prenatal class — It’s your first step towards being your own birth boss.

Be sure to check out my post on EVERYTHING you need to know about your water breaking for more on this important topic!