Can the “waters” test be wrong?

[HeavyMetalMama]

I’m currently 36+2, sat in labour triage because I lost my plug today. In the cab on the way I felt a fair amount of trickling and my pants and liner were pretty saturated with clear liquid. The doctor has done the waters test and said my waters haven’t gone but when I was here a few weeks back they said that to the lady next to me then redid it 10 minutes later and it was! She went into labour.
I’m getting regular cramps 20 minutes apart and they may keep me in because of my c section scar hurting, but otherwise I have no idea what the bloody hell is going on (VBAC - no labour with the first 10 years ago)

I'm a bit surprised they're not keeping you in TBH. With my 2nd (also VBAC) waters went at 35+1 - also on a Sunday which is probably the worst day to get any sort of care plan discussed - they admitted me immediately to antenatal because of prematurity and VBAC status. And they wanted to know as soon as I had any contractions. Baby was born the following morning 50 minutes after the first contraction. How have they tested for your waters?

Oh. No idea. But best of luck. How exciting

Do you mind me asking how baby was?
I’ve told them about the pains but they didn’t seem bothered until after the speculum test. They tested the waters by doing a swab with the speculum in and it shows a positive or negative in 5 minutes, he said he couldn’t see any waters when he was there and almost insinuated that it was wee, which it most certainly is not. They have mentioned keeping me in if paracetamol doesn’t help my pain

Thank you!

She was pretty good for 35+2 - didn't need to go to NICU. Had 24 hours jaundice treatment and an NG feeding tube for the first 13 days of life. We were in for 10 days while we reduced her dependence on feeding tube. When I went I reporting waters having gone they checked me with a speculum too but basically said instantly yes, I don't remember any test as such. Have they started you on antibiotics or said how long they would leave you before induction/ EL CS? I guess maybe not if they don't think waters have gone!

PS have they put you on the monitor yet? They monitored baby's heartbeat for 45 mins almost immediately I went in, then again later that day, then again as soon as I started reporting contractions.

It sounds like your hind waters have gone. Happened to me at 37 weeks. Was a few tiny gushes - enough to soak a pad. I was booked for an induction 24 hours later due to infection risk. The first step of my induction was breaking my main (?) waters (straight into the midwifes face and flooding the bed and floor!) Then my contractions ramped up. I did still need the drip in the end.

Oh bless, you and your little one have done so well. I’ve been sent home with the instructions that if the contractions get within 10 minutes, get stronger, I lose my waters “properly” or I’m worried basically to come back in. They said I could have stayed in but I’m 10 minutes from the hospital and someone else would have needed the bed more.

Wow that’s fast. I’ve never heard of hind waters before, what are they please?

Hind waters is when they break above babys head so the majority of your waters don't escape as babys head plugs it, so instead of gushing out with gravity they kind of trickle now and then. Forewaters is when they break at the bottom under babys head and you tend to get alot more waters come out trickling fast or a gush. Hind waters can reseal.

Yep. Just watch out for infection - that's why they wanted to induce me. Have you got a thermometer? Keep an eye on your temperature as that's the best indicator. Avoid baths and any vaginal exams unless necessary/midwife fully appraised of your hindwaters gone.

I still feel trickling, I’m still getting regular cramps every 20 minutes, back is still hurting. Hands and feet slightly swollen which is concerning but my BP was fine earlier although they didn’t check urine (history of pre eclampsia). I can’t see any liquid but have gone to bed with a pad on and some paracetamol. My little man is very active and all is well with him so hopefully I can just get some sleep.
Thank you all so much for helping me make a bit of sense of what’s going on

Smell it. You will know if its wee or not.

Hmm sounds as if they have gone:or going! Best of luck! X

My waters broke at 28 weeks and they leaked until 36 weeks. They kept me coming in every 48 hours for scans. Traces and blood tests to check for infection markers.

When mine rose they c sectioned dd due to her being breech.

Baby will constantly regenerate waters but once theyve opened there is a infection risk for both mum and baby.

If you feel they have went go back in the morning with your wet pads ig you have to to show its not pee.

This was my argument, I’d have been pretty ripe if I’d wet myself like that after that long. It didn’t smell of anything in particular

Thank you

Oh wow that’s scary, well done to the both of you. I was in on Friday with the same thing too and have felt a few trickles before my plug even went. This pregnancy thing can’t half be worrying

How's it going HeavyMetalMama, have you had your baby yet?!

Nope, no more signs! Pains are more intense but still around 20 minutes apart. Trying to stay active, walking the dog etc but it’s not half sore!