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There was a time, during my eight-month pregnancy, when my water broke in front of a classroom filled with 25 high school juniors on just the second day of the school year. Talk about embarrassing, right? Now that I’m expecting my third child and grappling with the realities of COVID-19, I find it amusing that I ever let it stress me out. But at the time, it was a major concern.
For my first baby, who was due on April 8 but made an entrance during a blizzard on April 7, I carried a large teal tote to work, stocked with a full-size beach blanket and a change of clothes—just in case I went into labor while teaching. I also had a meticulously packed hospital bag at home, filled with essentials suggested in my Lamaze class: scented lotion, a deck of cards to keep occupied, various outfits for both me and the baby, a homemade sock tennis ball for massages, and cherished photos.
When my first child was on the way, I was in the bathroom when it felt like I was peeing, even though I was pretty sure I was finished. I called out to my husband, “My water just broke!” He skeptically replied, “Are you sure you’re not just peeing?” Trust me, I wasn’t.
The second time around, I felt much more prepared and confident. I thought my water would break again but assumed my son would arrive right on or before his due date, so I left the beach blanket at home. On the first day of school, the staff wore matching T-shirts to help nervous freshmen identify us. This year’s design featured a world map, and I started the year as a human globe, with my belly resembling Switzerland’s mountains.
Just days before school kicked off, I voiced my concerns about my water breaking in front of a class full of teenagers to my OB. “I’m really worried about it happening, and then I’ll have to face them after maternity leave, unable to look them in the eye again.” His scientific reassurances were comforting, explaining that each pregnancy is unique and that it’s actually rare for water to break as the first sign of labor. He added, “Teenagers might surprise you. They often come together in important moments and will likely be excited to share in your experience.”
I admired my OB for his optimism, but I thought, you clearly haven’t been around hormonal teens lately. I dismissed his reassurances.
Then, on August 22, three weeks before my due date, I had just settled the students and was taking attendance when I leaned over and felt a sudden rush. “I think my water just broke,” I gasped. The students stared at me in shock. “I’m heading to the bathroom. Don’t burn the building down!” I rushed down the hall, flagging a colleague to watch over my class.
When I reached the bathroom, I thought, This is odd. Maybe I just peed myself. How am I going to explain this to my students? I returned to class, saying, “False alarm. Pregnancy is just strange sometimes.” Two girls exchanged concerned glances and said, “Oh good. We were worried! We almost came to check on you, but we weren’t sure we could go into the staff bathrooms.”
Then, I felt another surge. Fortunately, it was picture day. “Okay, it’s time for you guys to head to the lobby for pictures. You’ll have a substitute when you return. I’ll see you in three months.” With that, I made my way to the office, announced that I was in labor, and drove home, wishing I had a beach blanket. I hurried to pack my hospital bag.
Murphy’s law was at play. If I had packed that big bag with beach towels, I might have avoided an embarrassing public incident. If I had prepared my hospital bag ahead of time, my son might not have been born early. Yet, I learned my doctor was right: my students were calm and didn’t panic. In fact, many didn’t even know what “water breaking” meant. Thankfully, I was wearing black pants, so there were no visible stains. No puddles like you see in the movies.
When I returned from maternity leave, my students were excited to be part of my story. One student who had left to speak with his guidance counselor expressed disappointment for missing the big moment.
People, even teenagers, can surprise you in the best ways. So, if you find yourself in the fortunate position of not questioning whether you’re experiencing labor or just a strong case of Braxton Hicks, don’t fret about your water breaking in public. It’ll turn into a memorable story, a shared experience—even with strangers you may never encounter again.
And let’s be honest: when your water breaks in public, you really are the star of the show. It’s not just in your imagination. So this time, I’ll definitely be packing both my emergency bag and hospital bag well ahead of time.
For more insights into pregnancy, check out this other blog post for helpful tips.
Summary:
In this humorous and relatable account, Jessica Harper recalls the unforgettable moment when her water broke in front of her high school students. Initially mortified, she reflects on how her concerns about the incident faded over time, revealing that even teenagers can handle surprising situations with maturity. Through her experiences, Jessica emphasizes the importance of preparation and the unexpected joy of sharing life’s milestones with others.