After the water breaks, most people give birth within 24 to 48 hours. Around 70% of people deliver within 24 hours, and about 90% within 48 hours. If labor does not start within 24 hours after the waters break, especially after 37 weeks of pregnancy, healthcare providers usually consider inducing labor to reduce the risk of infection. Labor may begin immediately after the water breaks or within the next day or two. The timing can vary individually based on health and pregnancy conditions. This means that while labor often starts soon after the membranes rupture, there is a short window before intervention is typically considered if labor does not spontaneously begin.
