Possible Waters/Hind Waters

[charlottesminiflood]

FTM here so please bare with! As I stepped out of bed this morning I had a gush of fluid come out, I would say a mug of teas worth. I phoned in and they asked me to pop down the the birth centre to be checked over. At this point, apart from period like back ache I felt fine. At the centre they examined me and told me that my waters looked in tact, they think it was possibly my hind waters that had gone. Whilst there they offered to sweep me, although she could feel babies head, my cervix was long and closed.

Since being home I have had some light spotting but now feel quite unwell. Still no pains, back ache has even gone, but my head is pounding, hot flushes are coming and going and I'm so lethargic that I can barely get off the sofa.

Should I be concerned? And also, has anyone had their hind waters go first, if so, how long can I expect for something else to happen? Thank you!

Please phone the birth centre to be on the safe side. Do you have a temperature? Once your waters start to go there is a risk of infection so you should get that ruled out. Did they not give you any instructions about when to come back when you got checked out?

My hind waters started leaking at 38w and stupidly I didn’t get it checked out for 3 days (I was sure it was my bladder!) When I finally went into hospital they gave me antibiotics and put me on the drip to augment the labour (I was already 4cm without having felt any contractions). Usually once your waters go they want you to go into labour within 24h to avoid the risk of infection. In my case it was definitely the hind waters which were leaking as they then broke my waters at 6cm.

Having said all this what you’re feeling could be side effects of the sweep but get checked out to be on the safe side.

The birth centre only told me to call back in if my contractions started or if I lost a lot more fluid, neither have happened. They basically made me feel as though I was wrong and it wasn't my waters at all. Even though they mentioned hind waters, she said it was very unlikely and I probably had a gush of discharge. I may be a first timer, but no way was that discharge! I may call triage rather than the centre to see what they suggest.

I forgot to mention - I'm 39+4, my plug went yesterday too.

Yeah you need to be wary of infection, I would definitely phone triage. When my waters broke I was given those dot thermometers and told to get right back in touch if my temperature became elevated. I was already booked in for an induction, but I think the guidance is to induce after max 72 h after waters breaking because the risk of infection increases. Have you got a maternity pad on in case any more comes out? They can test it if it does to confirm it's amniotic fluid.

I have got a pad on yes. I called triage and they weren't fussed at all. They said because the birth centre confirmed my waters were still in tact they aren't concerned. I just feel like I'm being fobbed off, triage told me it was probably urine. It definitely wasn't, it didn't smell or look like urine, and as TMI as this is, it felt different as it came out. I don't have a temperature or any pain. Do I just sit and shut up or carrying on nagging them?

I would carry on nagging them if I were you. Perhaps if you show up there and make a fuss you could get them to scan and check whether the hind waters have gone. If they refuse to do anything further I would make sure you get it recorded in your notes that you strongly believe your membranes ruptured on Tuesday morning but that they do not believe this to be the case and why.

Good luck and hope labour kicks off soon for you either way.

You’d be surprised how much of a gush discharge can make!

When my waters broke they used a strip test (looked like a pregnancy test but tested for amniotic fluid), did they do this with you?

No they didn't test me at all, just looked.

Surely discharge wouldn't have the same consistency as water though? Every time I've wiped today following a wee it's had the same smell to it, smells like my pet rabbits cage!

I'd go back to be checked over again. Always better to be safe than sorry, they haven't definitively ruled out that your waters haven't gone & you're feeling unwell.

It's not silly to push it.

The birthing centre MW told me to wait until my contractions were 2-3 mins apart before going in...I went in at 4 mins apart & baby was born within 10 mins of our arrival! Childbirth isn't an exact science so trust your instincts completely! Good luck x

How are you today @charlottesminiflood? Hope all's well.

I feel fine today! Have had a few twinges but nothing exciting. I am seeing my community midwife on Friday for my 40 week appointment and another sweep. Hoping she will have some answers for me as to what the "gush" yesterday was about!