The insider's guide to labour, birth and recovery

Isn't it funny how women often 'gloss over' the intimate details of birth until you've had your baby?

It's almost as though, once you've had your little one, you join an exclusive club that makes it okay to talk about the more 'undignified' realities.

Midwife Anne Richley exposes some of the secrets.

Waters breaking

For most women, their waters won't break until they're in established labour. The bag of fluid often ruptures at the height of a contraction, imagine a balloon full of water being squeezed.

For some mums-to-be, their waters will break before the contractions start and many dread this happening towards the end of their pregnancy. But it's certainly no reason to become a recluse.

The baby's head usually acts like a plug when it moves down into the pelvis, so when the waters break it's not as dramatic as it sounds. It can start as a trickle, and you may have to smell it to distinguish it from a leaky bladder - the amniotic fluid has a slight 'almond' aroma. It'll look the same as straw-coloured urine. Just put on a sanitary towel and keep an eye on it. If it's your waters, the trickle will continue. Altogether there's around enough fluid to fill a wine bottle, but it's unusual for it to burst with a 'gush' before labour starts.

It doesn't hurt when your waters go. You might feel a 'pop', then warm fluid trickling out of your vagina. You could always wear a sanitary towel towards the end of your pregnancy, just in case they break while you're out and about.

If you suspect your waters have broken or are still unsure, contact your midwife, who'll want to check that you and your baby are well. Once you've been given the okay, and assuming all is well, labour will probably start within 36 hours.

- Next: find out about contractions

More help and advice

- What happens when you're induced?
- Embarrassing pregnancy questions answered
- Caesarean births explained
- Pain relief options during labour

By Anne Richley