trickle, so even if you're not sure, play safe and ring your midwife or the labour ward as you'll need to be examined.Consultant obstetrician Dr Virginia Beckett, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, says, 'If your waters break early

: If you are more than 10 days past your due date and there is evidence that the placenta is failing If you have pre-eclampsia If the baby is not growing well If the waters break but there are no contractions after 24 hours If there is a significant

Your due date is fast approaching, you're feeling excited and nervous, but how will you know for sure when labour is actually starting? Early labour is when the uterus starts to contract, and the cervix - which is the neck of the womb - softens

't growing well enough. Similarly, if your waters break and you still haven't gone into labour 24 to 48 hours later, induction will be recommended, as there is a risk of intra-uterine infection. 'Once your waters have broken, there is a risk of infection

, as you could go into labour very shortly. Hospitals have different policies, however, if everything is okay, you may be allowed home to go into labour naturally. Always seek medical help if your waters break early - before 37 weeks.‘I need to be induced

and Gynaecologists, says, 'If your waters break early but you don't have any complications, you'll normally be offered two options: waiting for 24 hours, or inducing labour. We'd want labour to start within 24 hours to reduce any risk of infection.'Lots of women wait

why a natural birth may not be possible. You may need to be induced, if your baby is overdue for example.Your waters might break early and your baby may need to be delivered quickly to avoid infection.Your waters may need to be broken manually to help

, an induction may be necessary if your waters break but contractions haven't started, because of the risk of infection.Your midwife may use prostaglandin gel or pessary to induce you at first, which she'll insert in the vagina, near the womb, to soften