Sometimes, however, there's a delay. If you experience premature rupture of membranes, your doctor might stimulate uterine contractions before labor begins on its own (labor induction). The longer it takes for labor to start after your water breaks, the greater the risk of you or your baby developing an infection. If your water breaks before the 37th week of pregnancy, it's known as preterm premature rupture of membranes (preterm PROM). Risk factors for water breaking too early include: 1  A history of preterm premature rupture of membranes in a prior pregnancy.  Inflammation of the fetal membranes (intra-amniotic infection)