38+6weeks, think my waters are leaking - what should I do?

[purplemurple1]

With DC1 my waters went with a gush at 38+6, took 6hrs for contractions to start but thins moved quickly after that. They said then they like to get the baby out within 24hrs ish once your waters have gone.

I'm 38+6 with DC2 and think my waters are leaking, but I'm not having contractions (had BH on an off last night but no pain).

Anyone know if the 24hrs counts from when a leak starts, are you ment to go in and get it confirmed? Or is a slow leak nothing to worry about when you are over 37 weeks?

TIA

[Dogsmom]

I can't speak from experience as I had to have mine broken but in your situation I'd give the labour ward a ring and ask their advice.

It does sound as if things may be starting for you

[CilkieWallins]

Definitely give the labour ward a call - my waters broke before contractions started both times and I went in to have it confirmed. Hope your birth goes smoothly!

[hanban89]

Definitely give them a call. I couldn't decide wether I was having a slow leak or heavy watery discharge. I went in after about 3 days of this and the midwife was angry that I had waited so long. I had to be examined and have a spectrum to check, but while one midwife was setting up the other said she thought my waters were leaking as she could see it trickling! However after the spectrum they said it was just watery discharge and my body was just getting ready for labour. I went into labour that night! Sorry if too much information! Good luck x

[nicemarmot]

Echoing what others have said- call the midwife. With both of my births my waters have broken and contractions haven't got going. My first I had a slow leak to begin with & then full on gush 24 hours later. If labour doesn't get started within 48 hours of waters breaking they will want to induce you. Hope it all goes well

[purplemurple1]

I called the hopsital who said to wait and see overnight, and nothing at all during the night no leak, no pains so I'm back to waiting and convincing myself I imagined it!

[Nolim]

Ho to hospital or at least call for advice.

[Portobelly]

I was told to wear a pad, so you/they could monitor the smell, colour etc.

[lynholmerpark]

Purple - have the hospital made a plan for you after you called them and they told you this? You will need a speculum to rule out if your membranes have ruptured ( not a particularly nice procedure but only way to be sure), as if they have the risk of infection rises if you do not go into labour in the next few days. To be on the safe side I would advise calling your hospital (do they have a triage number - look on your notes) again this morning. Good luck.

[purplemurple1]

I called the hospital and they seem very relaxed about it, just said wait and see. I've had no more leaks in the night and I had a routine visit with my MW this morning anyway. She felt internally and said the babies head is partially or fixed (engaged) she wasn't sure. (I'm not in the UK so here the stages are loose, partially, fixed.) I've been having period pain on and off since but expect its from the poking about rather than early labour.

So the plan is to wait it out, its a small hospital though (4 or 5 births a day), so I'd be suprised if they don't call me back today to discuss what next, they called a few times after I'd had my first DC to check everything was OK.

[lynholmerpark]

Good that you've seen a MW and they have a plan in place. Interesting to hear they do internal examinations to assess engagement. Only thing to also mention is to keep an eye on baby's movements - contrary to what some women believe/are told they don't slow down the closer to full term you get, though often feel different. Good luck with your birth.

[purplemurple1]

Thanks, they have been diff for a week or so but still feel her moving about (also told them that yesterday).

Internal isn't normal but with both DC they can't feel anythin from the oustside as my bump is too hard aparently.

Thanks, I'm quite excited really hoping this is it.