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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

How would I know if I was leaking amnio fluid?

27 replies

CortexiphanChild · 10/03/2015 21:25

I've had a google but all the info seems to be very vague about leaking fluid before 38 weeks.

I'm currently 19weeks + 3days so am a bit worried but not entirely sure it is amniotic fluid.

What's coming out is a fair bit more watery than usual discharge but doesn't smell or look like wee...

Is anyone able to help? Getting a bit worried as it's so early!

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Wigeon · 10/03/2015 21:27

Definitely definitely ring the maternity ward at your local hospital and I would think they will ask you to come in. Do get advice at the very least. You can Irving the maternity are 24 Hours a day, don't wait until tomorrow.

Wigeon · 10/03/2015 21:28

Ring the maternity ward - sorry for typos!

Apparently amniotic fluid smells sweet. If you sniff, does it smell like wee?

weeblueberry · 10/03/2015 21:42

They'll probably ask you to put on a pad and monitor the amount of leakage you're having over a certain amount of time. But do bear in mind that discharge can really vary in texture throughout your pregnancy so try not to worry too much just now.

MissTwister · 10/03/2015 21:50

Its probably discharge. I get watery discharge all the time - at least I've assumed its that!

Methe · 10/03/2015 21:53

Amniotic fluid smells like hay to me, sweet and absolutely nothing like wee. You need to call your midwives (delivery suite if needs be) and. Be prepared that they will want to see you ASAP but it is probably nothing to worry about :)

Original poster

CortexiphanChild · 10/03/2015 22:00

Thanks everybody for replying.

It definitely doesn't smell like wee, it's like nothing I've smelt before and not like strong discharge either, kind of sweet and almost erm, vinegary maybe ?

One of the reasons I got worried was that I didn't recognise the smell if you see what I mean...

OP posts:

Koalafications · 10/03/2015 22:02

Please call your maternity assessment unit.

Original poster

CortexiphanChild · 10/03/2015 22:08

I will call them now.

In a panic because someone I know has just been through this and it didn't end well :/

OP posts:

Koalafications · 10/03/2015 22:10

Ok, good you are going to call.

I know you are panicking but really you are better off calling than just worrying.

Hope everything is ok

Wigeon · 10/03/2015 22:10

It could well be fine but do seek advice from the midwives.

applecore0317 · 10/03/2015 22:19

Try not to panic and speak to the midwives at the hospital. I had a slow leak of fluid for a while and then a fair bit in one go that soaked through pad, underwear and jeans. It turned out to be a slow leak from my hind waters which has built up into little pockets of fluid and then came out.

That was six weeks ago and have been fine since, definitely best to get checked out

traceybaybee · 10/03/2015 22:33

Im 27 weeks today and ended up in hospital on saturday as my waters broke a bit. I didnt even realise either :/ i was on the bus and stood up to let a lady with a pram on and the back of my jeans from the waist to the back of my knees were soaking. Thankfully at hospital a scan showed still enough fluid for baby just now but what a fright i got

worksallhours · 11/03/2015 13:17

Unfortunately, I know quite a bit about this.

Amniotic fluid smells very sweet and almost delicately perfumed. It smells nothing like discharge or urine or blood or protein.

The nearest thing I could place it to was the smell of some Marks and Spencers body talc that my aunt once bought me back in the late 80s. When my baby was born, I realised it was also pretty much the same smell as my newborn's head.

If you are worried, call your midwife or your local maternity assessment centre.

weeblueberry · 11/03/2015 15:12

How did you get on OP?

Original poster

CortexiphanChild · 12/03/2015 10:46

I called my maternity unit and they asked to keep an eye on it overnight and for the day yesterday, as it wasn't a huge amount.

So I wore pads and there wasn't really anything, I called them back and they aren't too worried, think it's likely just the joys of pregnancy discharge and maybe not helped by the fact I tend to have bubble baths every day (they help with my sciatica) but the bath products/body wash they think has caused an increase.

I feel properly silly now but relieved. So much going on with my body these days I don't have a clue most of the time, would be lost without MN and Google!

Thanks for the replies everyone and sorry for worrying about nothing

OP posts:

Wigeon · 12/03/2015 20:21

I'm sure you did the right thing and don't be embarrassed at all. Also sure the midwives didn't mind you contacting them at all. Definitely better safe than sorry in this sort of thing.

weeblueberry · 12/03/2015 23:15

Please don't feel silly OP. I'm glad you got it checked

I had a wee gush of fluid the other day that had me panicking (am 38 weeks) but triage reckoned (over the phone) it was wee. If I'm honest I don't think it was but all you can do is tell them and ask advice.

PatMullins · 12/03/2015 23:19

For future reference OP, not everyone's fluid smells sweet- I'm leaking fluid as we speak and mine smells more like semen not at all pleasant!

LittleBairn · 13/03/2015 08:46

As someone who has had 2 pProms one at 16 and one at 19 weeks I'm disappointed in your maternitys response such a lax attitude. It is a very serious condition and a chat on the phone isn't going to prove anything.
Personally if you don't want to push to be seen at maternity assessment then make an appointment with your community midwife to be seen ASAP.

Keep wearing pads, but use the most basic non scented type its easire for them to tell. I'm also sure there is a swab they can do too to make sure there isn't any amnotic fluid around the cervix.

Like Pat, mine didn't have an particular scent but I had full catastrophic pProms both times so there was no doubt what was happening so maybe I just wasn't in the right mind frame to smell it.

In this pregnancy I've had two bouts of watery discharge but it has been a one off, continued leaking even slow leaks without the gush sensation would concern me.

LittleBairn · 13/03/2015 08:48

Sorry forgot to add in the meantime I would be making sure to drink plenty, there is some evidence to suggest that increasing your fluid intake can help replenish your amnotic fluids.

PontyGirl · 13/03/2015 08:55

I was worried about this last year when I was about 28 weeks pregnant. I never found out what it was! Went to triage, it def wasn't waters, they thought it was maybe thrush, then that test came back negative so I just think it was another joyful pregnancy thing. If it's still bothering you, insist that you are seen. Always better to be reassured than worrying!

Babiecakes11 · 13/03/2015 10:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SirVixofVixHall · 13/03/2015 11:11

That watery slightly acidic smelling discharge is normal. My friend got into a total panic when she had it while pregnant, but I get it as part of my normal cycle so wasn't at all phased. When I did leak amniotic fluid, due to the hind waters going , it was quite different. Different smell. But if in any doubt it is essential to get it checked. I think it sounds fine, from what you've said, but I'm surprised that they didn't do a quick swab to make sure.

seaoflove · 13/03/2015 11:14

Vinegar-y sounds very much like normal pregnancy discharge to me. That's how it smells to my nose, too!

Original poster

CortexiphanChild · 13/03/2015 12:23

I have a midwife appt on Monday so I can get a second opinion and have her look into it more for me.

I definitely wouldn't want to risk it having just seen what somebody I know has just been through and my midwife is great for being reassuring, never gets funny about the millions of questions I always have for her whether they seem daft or not.

Also have my 20 week scan next Friday, but my midwife is pretty good like I said.

I'm trying to drink plenty of water anyway as I get dehydrated quite easily so I'll keep an eye on things over the weekend and if anything happens worse I'll go the hospital route again, but maybe I'll have to be firmer this time!

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