text: for pregnant woman, what to do if the water break and u cant go to hospital immediately? how should one prepare for the baby? who do u call? what would u do? well speaking as an ob nurse you have no more than 24 hours after the water breaks.. that is even pushing it.  one an infection can start and could lead to death of the mother or baby.  plus you do not know how far the woman is dilated if the baby is int he correct positions if the babies heart is having decels or accels in the heart rate.  i would call an ambulance if you do not have anyone to drive to hospital.  another thing  you want to prevent a c section so get to the hospital.  you never want to try and deliver a baby with out exp.  alot of complications can arise aftre birth or during the delivery