what does amniotic fluid smell like?

[PavlovtheForgetfulCat]

thats it...

Kind of sweet

can it leak so slowly it does not notice very much? ie not needing a pad?

I think it can, I'm not an expert though. The maternity unit would be able to test if it is amniotic fluid or not.

Am I right in thinking you're about term?

yes, term tomorrow. So it is possible. But i don;t want to go up and then have them say 'oh well we shall induce you then seeing as you are here' as they want to see me tomorrow for consultant appt if I have not given birth...unless i have to.

But, if it is leaking out very slowly, i need to check it out don't i?

it has it's own smell. not like wee if that helps.
it is possible for it to dribble slowley and yes you do need it checkd because of risk of infection.

but how extra exciting! a baby almost on it's leetle way! hurrah!

You should get it checked, just for safeties sake. I'm not sure what the guidelines are in the UK, but over here they like you to be in labour or in hospital for monitoring 24 hour after waters breaks. Infection risk and all that.

Would your midwife do a home visit? TBH I think if you were to go to hospital they should be happy to let you wait until tomorrow. It may be best to read up on the NICE guidelines before you go in.

Here's hoping things get going on there own today

It is sort of 'nutty' smell? is it very distinctive and it is clearly not a wee smell. I shall wake DH up, then I shall call labour ward. DD is in nursery so going up for a check up is not too problematic.

I would not be surprised. I have a horrendous back ache (which I have had for weeks tbh) but cannot shift into a comfortable position and some more BH than normal, and less baby movement.

could be the day!

x post! Sounds like waters (and early labour) to me!

Well, the problem is, I noticed the smell last night.

I have been a bit 'damp' for want of a better word since yesterday, but not enough to make me think anything of it until last night, when I went and then disregarded it, but the smell is still there, so is the dampness. But it is not more than that.

I know what I will do...i will call midwife advice line at 9am see what they say...they are a friendly bunch there.

They went gradually with DD, but more than this. They were much more like i was wetting myself, like leaking wee, I remember thinking I was incontenent for a good half hour before realising what it was! But I don't remember a smell, and I remember very specific, strong BH almost straight away.

Now all seems to have stopped in terms of 'leaking' but have lower belly tightening...

Oh why can't it be the same as last time, then I would know what was going on! You would think, second time round i would have more of a clue eh?

MW spoke to day assessment, will monitor this morning and call them at lunch time with an update.

Glad to hear they aren't rushing you into anything!

It does sound to me like things might be moving, my (very experienced) midwife said that second labours are often slower getting started but quicker once they get going.

I was on here asking if I should take a paracetamol and go back to bed or call childcare/doula/midwife (was in the middle of the night) 2 1/2 hours before DS (DC2) was born...

2.5 hours! Blimey that was quick! We have called our friend who is going to look after DD when we are in hosp to be on standby as DD is at nursery, and DH told nursery it might be today so to expect our friend to collect (already have signatures, password etc).

I do think it might be something starting too, as although nothing significant, pressure on back/base of belly is building very slightly which I have not had before. And I have a general 'feeling'. Not that it means much!

MW that I spoke to said it could be an increase in discharge which is common at the very end of pg, rather than fluid.

Did you have a home birth? Did you call the MW?

It was a planned home birth, very quick, but a fantastic birth. I actually really enjoyed it . Short contractions until the end, no pain relief, no stitches. I felt normal (but tired) afterward. I hope yours is as good.

After I posted on here I decided to tell DP things might be thinking about moving. I got upstairs, woke DP and POP my waters went and the contractions came on strong.

DP called everyone and FIL arrived to collect DD just as I was ready to start pushing, 15 minutes before DS emerged. I'd wanted a water birth but we'd set the pool up in DD's room, thankfully she was fast asleep until a couple of minutes before FIL got here.

I thought my amniotic fluid smelled a bit like semen but it had meconium in it which might have made it smell a bit funny.

that sounds fab! I hope I have it as smooth as that thistooshallpass ladylush - does not smell like DHs semen , but I am thinking that each of us interprets a smell differently to others.

I have just had what I thought might be a contraction. But it felt very much like the little one was trying to shove his hand out of my vagina! I was on the phone to DH who is at the shops getting some last minute bits, stuck my hands between my legs (on the bed) as it hurt so much only to glance up to see a builder/labourer or someone standing up in window of the house opposite, who can see right into my bedroom! The house has been a student house for a long time and that room has never had its curtains open. I had not even considered the fact they started renovating it a week ago oh dear, what on earth would he have thought , he is far enough away to not necessarily see I am pg! I just got up, carried on with conversation and made the bed etc.

Only just been able to get back to the computer, I'm hoping your lack of posting on MN today means you're in labour

at the builder

Sounds like the start of my labour! Goodluck!

hope all's going well Pavlov? Good Luck.

its all been put on hold. Baby has said 'nope, thats it, i am actually not ready after all' and assessment centre said, without seeing me it is unlikely fluid, but probably increase in discharge, which I think I agree with.

So, more pressure on my lower regions, and increase in aches and pains, and he is definitely making his way, just taking his sweet time with it! Couple of days of discomfort is in store for me I am suspecting

Hope Baby doesn't keep you waiting much longer and you're feeling ok.