"Waters have broken" What does this phrase mean, why are these "waters" needed, and why are they "breaking"? The answer is👇🏻 "Water" is the amniotic fluid. It surrounds the fetus and acts as a natural environment for the fetus and supports its vital functions. "It comes off" because the fetal bladder bursts - it contains the fetus during pregnancy. And the fetal membranes have, shall we say, an "expiration date". This expiration date is set for a certain time so that they thin out just before the birth.