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Original poster

How can I tell the difference between waters breaking & incontinence?!

50 replies

iamwhaticallpregnant · 25/02/2013 09:14

Genuine Q. I cant tell if my waters have broken or iam continually wetting myself and cant feel it anymore. Will I know the difference? i was due nearly 2 wks ago.

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TinkyPeet · 25/02/2013 09:27

The smell will give it away, waters smell sort of sweet, and wee smells, like wee lol xx

rachyconks · 25/02/2013 09:27

I had this problem when is was 40+5. It went on for two or three days. I thought it was just end of pregnancy bladder issues. But no, on the third day I had a dodgy belly in the evening and at 3:00am, went to the loo and had a bit of a gush! Looking back I should have known. Put a pad in and if it smells sweet (waters have a very distinctive smell - nothing like urine) then it's prob your waters. Though it wouldn't hurt to ring the maternity ward for advice. They may want to check you out.

Good luck! Hope things are starting and you'll be holding your baby soon!

Original poster
iamwhaticallpregnant · 25/02/2013 09:32

thank you. Not to be gross - but what if it is a mixture of wee and "waters"? so the smell might not be 100% trustworthy. wouldnt say i had a dodgy stomach but last night very loose. then today when i sat down on toilet there was a tiny little gush which i almost didnt "feel" coming out. just heard.
also - is it irrelevant until contractions start?
i have had a painful stomach ache and lower back ache this morning but nothingdrastic.

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Cantbelieveitsnotbutter · 25/02/2013 09:35

Lie down for a bit, when you stand up if it starts leaking again its probably waters.
Good luck!

Wereonourway · 25/02/2013 09:36

I had this, I was only 34 weeks so assumed it was wee.
It wasnt!
I put on a pad and walked around for an hour, the pad was wet with clear liquid as opposed to yellow wee.
It was confirmed as waters at delivery suite and ds arrived the next day.
I would ring delivery suite today and they may advise you to do same with pad.
Good luck!

Original poster
iamwhaticallpregnant · 25/02/2013 09:37

THANK YOU. Will do that now.

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TinkyPeet · 25/02/2013 09:39

If it were me I would give delivery a ring, they will probs want to check you out. Good luck x

WhispersOfWickedness · 25/02/2013 09:43

Sounds like early labour to me! Good luck Grin

coffeeandcream · 25/02/2013 09:51

This might sound weird, but it actually feels different to wee! When I had my waters broken for induction, the liquid felt softer iykwim!

Also, put a pad on and take it with you to the hospital so they can check

Good luck!!

Original poster
iamwhaticallpregnant · 25/02/2013 09:58

i have had a smell. I THINK it is sweet. but i dont know. def not yellow. smells odd. but then i dont usually sniff my pants! got a pad on now.

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drwitch · 25/02/2013 09:58

when my waters broke, i also worried that i had wet myself, they gave me a pad and ask me to check if they was any blood/redness in it, easy way to tell.

Original poster
iamwhaticallpregnant · 25/02/2013 09:59

ps. i am being induced tomorrow so should I just wait till then?

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Original poster
iamwhaticallpregnant · 25/02/2013 10:00

no. definitely no blood. clear white. no discharge. but wee can be clear if you have drunk a lot.

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dinkystinky · 25/02/2013 10:04

When your waters break fully there is ALOT of water - smells kind of sweet and is clear

WhispersOfWickedness · 25/02/2013 10:04

I would ring delivery suite. When my waters went one evening, I was due to be induced the next morning, so rang delivery suite to ask if I should come in or wait until tomorrow. They were having a quiet night so they asked me to come in to get checked out. Glad I did because DD was born two hours later Confused That was my second dc though. Is it your first baby?

Original poster
iamwhaticallpregnant · 25/02/2013 10:09

Ah!! LOVE that story Whispers - yes it is my first - which is why I know absolutely nothing. I am scared to go in and they will just say "er... love, you just pissed yourself!" cringe!!!!

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Original poster
iamwhaticallpregnant · 25/02/2013 10:10

I have no contractions though.... Sad

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Guntie · 25/02/2013 10:17

iam Ohhh excited for you!! I would call them to be honest. I was in a labour ward yesterday and they were saying to someone else that they want to speak to people when their waters break irrespective of if there are contractions.

Also, my wee is also super clear as I drink so much but when I give a urine sample it still smells like wee. (Sorry TMI) Grin

Good luck!!!!! Thanks

Graciescotland · 25/02/2013 10:19

I didn't have any contractions when my waters broke either. Was a bit of a slow trickle as baby's head was engaged but if I lay down for a bit I'd get a gush as I stood up.

Called and they said to pop in, confirmed with an internal, since I wasn't in labour they gave me an appointment for induction the next day. Went into labour in the evening though. Apparently most women do within 24 hours of waters breaking but it's a good idea to get checked out anyway.

Original poster
iamwhaticallpregnant · 25/02/2013 10:24

thanks Guntie!!! I really didn't want to be induced so I am hoping this is it. But I am so fed up of being disappointed. I will give them a ring. It did seem like every time I got up out of bed there would be a tiny gush.
Gracie - according to my Sweep last week he is very engaged and in correct position.
I will call in a minute...

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5madthings · 25/02/2013 10:29

Contractions usually start within 24hrs of waters breaking, if they don't they will want to induce you.

They will prob want you yo go in so they can check you over, and if all is fine they will send you home to wait then if no contractions they will induce you.

But the Bach ache etc all sounds like early lab our!! Good luck :)

Guntie · 25/02/2013 10:29

iam Based on my extensive experience, if you were wetting yourself it would more likely be happening when you are sneezing/coughing/laughing etc. If your getting gushes of water from getting out of bed THAT SOUNDS LIKE YOUR WATERS! Grin

Eeep! How exciting and great timing. Just enough to avoid an induction!!

Original poster
iamwhaticallpregnant · 25/02/2013 10:33

Ah .... yes. Problem is Guntie. As my partner tells me (in a very annoyed tone) I cough a LOT! And we laughed A LOT last night. So I can't tell the difference. I also sneeze and blow my nose 100 times a day. (YES - I am a classy lady!)

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SushiPaws · 25/02/2013 10:53

How exciting for you.

Really even very watered down wee smells like wee.

Good luck

Guntie · 25/02/2013 10:55

Haha, but normally it would sneak out as you laugh/sneeze/cough.. Did you call labour ward? I am so hoping it is the real deal for you!