Patient's question:
Patient is a 28-year-old female who is nearing her due date and feeling a bit anxious. She asks the doctor whether it is more common for a pregnant woman to experience vaginal bleeding (seeing red) before water breaking or if water breaking comes first.Doctor's answer:
Generally speaking, most pregnant women will experience bloody show before their water breaks, with only 5% of women breaking water directly. The reason why pregnant women who experience bloody show first are considered luckier is because a recurrence of bloody show is merely a sign that delivery is approaching. This gives the pregnant woman some time to prepare, such as taking a bath and organizing her delivery kit. When contractions begin, it is not too late to head to the hospital. However, breaking water is different. Once water breaks, it means that delivery has entered the final countdown, which is a very urgent situation and requires immediate delivery.