Damp Knickers, 40 wks pregnant

[Kezza7779]

Hi,
the last few days i have noticed my knickers are damp. There isnt really any colour and no smell at all. do u think my waters are leaking? i have had a pad on for the last hour or so which is dampish but not wet!

[theyoungvisiter]

I had this from about 38/9 weeks last time and was actually checked in the end by a doc. Apparently I wasn't leaking - was just increased discharge for no apparent reason - I didn't have thrush or anything.

I don't know if this is a usual symptom just before labour - maybe you just start noticing more because you're monitoring more!

[theyoungvisiter]

but (adds disclaimer) of course this doesn't mean that you aren't leaking. If you're worried ask them to check, it's not painful or anything - only takes 2 ticks.

[rosealbie]

I had the same and did get it checked, I think they just took a swab and if it's amniotic fluid they can tell as it turns black I think when mixed with something.... sorry not very scientific, just trying to rack my brains and remember.

Anyway, I wasn't leaking and it was a good few days before ds made any sort of attempt to appear.

[diddle]

had the same, got checked out, was the same as theyoungvisitor. just increased discharge. They asked me to put a pad on and see how much was soaked up, but not much at all.

[hellymelly]

I had the same and it was amniotic fluid,the hind waters had gone,so no gush,just a slow puncure!

[theyoungvisiter]

btw amniotic fluid does have a pretty distinct smell - sort of sweetish and... hmm... it's really hard to describe!

[lauraloola]

My waters started leaking the day before dd was born. I phoned the labour ward and they had me in for an hour on a monitor and took a swab and blood. It does have a very sweet smell.

[SheSellsSeashellsByTheSeashore]

i that too and it was what hellymelly said but dd2 didnt wanna come out so i was induced as they can get infections in the womb if there is not enough fluid or somthing?

[uptomyeyes]

Why don't you phone the labour ward and ask their advice. I had a slow puncture at 35 weeks, (DH helpfully suggested I had bladder incontinence) phoned the ward they called me in, did an exam and confirmed that it was amniotic fluid. DS3 was delivered the next day because they didn't want to risk infection. Good luck.

[sherbetdipdab]

I had this last week, and was told to go for a wee, then hold my pelvic floor muscles up tight and then push down and see if I leaked any fluid.

I didn't but I'm still damp with a trickling feeling inside...

[DisplacementActivity]

Message withdrawn

[Kezza7779]

hmm thanks all, seems it could be or couldnt be. i think ill keep a pad on tonight and see how im doing in the morning - if its still damp ill give the hosp a call x

[aurorec]

Sorry to be insistent, but sweet how?

I was induced with DD and doctor had to 'puncture' so not sure what to expect this time round.

[poppysocks]

My waters went in phases last week. Woke up on Thurs am to a small 'gush' - like I'd wet myself. Had a freak out about the state of my pelvic floor but then rang the hospital who said that this can sometimes happen if the baby's head is in a particular position and will just expel some amniotic fluid, but not enough to be a problem. Glad I hadn't known this earlier as would have been embarrassing if it had happened out and about!

In my case though, three or four more gushes and lots of trickling over the next 8 hours, then a show, then contractions and DD2 arrived exactly a week ago.

Good luck!

[lauraloola]

It has a very sweet smell to it and you just know when you smell it. I was sure I had wet myself in the night but smelt it and knew it was my waters.

If it happens and you are unsure just put a pad on and phone the labour ward as they can tell by taking a swab.

[kitkat9]

please just get it checked out asap, if it is amniotic fluid then there is a risk of infection.

I had this for dd, for about a week I kept thinkig i'd wet myself, had to keep going up to the hospital (this was at about 36 weeks)and they tested with a ph strip - for the first couple of times it was negative but I was still leaking!

Third time lucky, a week later - the doctor barely waved the strip in front of me and said - yep, you're in labour, get over to the ward now! - I was 15 days before edd!

Had to be induced as waters had broken but no contractions...all fine in the end. The mw thought that my hind waters had been leaking for all that time but dd's head kept shiftng positions to seal up the leak.

Just go and get checked! It only takes a minue, and the mw could even give you some of the strips to check with yourself if it's negative today - ask her.

Good luck!