help - is this my waters breaking ??!

[mousemole]

I'm almost 38 weeks pregnant wwith dc3. Been crampy all day and very uncomfortable. Just went to the loo and noticed my knickers were pretty wet -( sorry TMI). Do waters always break with a gush or sometimes is it more gradual ? with my other dc I had to have my waters broken so no experience of this.

[mummy2t]

mine kind of went with a gush but it is common for them to trickle, esp if babies head is very low down. put a pad on and have a walk about see if anything else happens
good luck xx

[maltesers]

Waters can start very slowly with a trickle . . is it corn coloured ?? If so, then its maybe your Waters. . . .

[oldmum42]

Can be either, but if it's a trickle, it will keep doing it and your knickers would be damp/wet all the time - if this is the case in an hour or two (ie you'll know by then that you're not just peeing your self a little), then phone the MW, as they will want to check you out - if you get a slow leak, it can lead to infection than can be harmful, so they will keep an eye on your temp, and may decide to induce. I've experienced this with DS3

Are you sure it's not just a wee bit of pee?

Any other symptoms things may be starting like a show of blood/mucus which may suggest the cervix starting to be "taken up"

The discomfort could be a sign of course, but it might also just be discomfort of late pregnancy.

[randomimposter]

Yeah mine gushed, but I guess any fluid leakage is a sign things probably on the move. Depends on your local hospital policy but mine was to start induction if no labour started within 24 hours. NICE guidelines are 72 hours I think so you might have a bit longer.

Any more leakage and you'd better phone midwife/hospital/doula whatever you have planned! Good luck!

[ShowOfHands]

Put a pad on and keep an eye. It could, at this late stage, be a bit of wee or possibly sweat? It's v hot.

[FabIsGettingFit]

Wear a pad and then smell when wet.

[mousemole]

It was corn coloured, yes. Will put a pad in and see what happens. Fab, what should it smell like if it is my waters ?
Last night was a terrible night pain wise and felt like the head was getting right down. No plug - although didn't have a show with other 2 dc.

[mummy2t]

sounds like it is then. some people say it smells like sperm - sorry tmi!!
i didnt have show with 2 of mine either

[mousemole]

no more leaking since first lot, although am sat on my bum watching tennis so not exactly moving around a lot !

[maltesers]

Sounds like its your Waters. . . .!!!!!

[mummy2t]

prop wont leak if you are sat, as you will be plugging the hole so to speak, get up and have a walk about xx

[mousemole]

just been helping dh put a bed up in the spare room with lots of bending and standing but no leaks. False alarm I think. Bugger, was hoping that was the start of things.

[mummy2t]

you never know, when my waters when with dc3 i only had enough that soaked a pad, never lost another drop after that. xxxx

[mousemole]

false alarm -still here ! Ah well.