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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Leaking Amniotic Fluid?

11 replies

Babyangelfairy · 30/08/2018 21:29

Hi Ladies,
Has anyone had any experience of leaking fluid?
I’m pregnant with my third and the last week or so I’ve been having wet patches in my pants so been wearing pantyliners, it’s headually got heavier so my pants are also wet. I thought perhaps wee at first (third pregnancy no continence issues previously so seemed logical) yet even after a big wee within ten minutes a liner could be wet.
Went to the assessment unit today and doc was all for doing a scan to check levels but wanted to do an internal first. So another female doc came as chaperone- they did a cough test and no urine came out, so they examined me and as my cervix was closed the female doc just said I could go home. Male doc asked about a scan and she said no, home.
When I asked what if was they said go speak to MW.
MW said it’s probably discharge yet I questioned this as there’s no staining on a liner (TMI I know!) it’s clear and watery, she just said go home and come back if you’re worried. I said I was worried as is already been told you can leak/have a tear with a closed cervix. Yet MW shrugged it off.
When I’m having Brixton Hicks I leak as well, I’m worried as they were all for a scan and doc said an internal isn’t always accurate.
They even wrote SPROM unconfirmed, which shows they weren’t certain I wasn’t leaking.
Any advice?
Thanks in advance x

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Beamur · 30/08/2018 21:34

Sorry if this sounds gross - have you smelt it? I was leaking (overdue but no spontaneous labour) and the midwife I saw had a trainee with them. They got me to sit on a pad, leak a bit, then sniffed it. Amniotic fluid has a fairly neutral slightly sweet smell, wee smells like wee...
They considered my waters had broken, albeit not terribly dramatically.
It was an issue, as this then allows bacteria to enter. I think I'd want a bit more reassurance in your shoes.

Soontobe60 · 30/08/2018 21:43

Did they scan you to check the fluid level?

Joeybee · 30/08/2018 21:52

I'd go back, say you're worried (again) and want reassurance by way of a scan. Be assertive and stand up for yourself, unfortunately agent sometimes that's the only way you can get through the system. I think it's crazy they didn't do a scan of your fluid levels or take swabs. Those are the things that can diagnose a fluid leak NOT a pelvic exam, which actually is a pretty unecessary way to check fluid.
As a registered nurse it upsets me when I hear things like this, I'm sorry you've felt not fully looked after and shrugged off. Medical professionals are supposed to make you feel safe and secure.

LBNM19 · 30/08/2018 23:47

How many weeks are you? My waters went at 27 weeks in my last pregnancy. Slow leaking at first. I was believed initially and then a consultant said they hadn't after 4 days. He was delivered at 28+3 with no immeasurable fluid and we both had an infection, he was in a very poor condition when he was born.

If you keep leaking i would go back and insist that they scan. Can also use an amnisure.

chloechloe · 31/08/2018 02:37

How many weeks are you? Regardless, I would go back. It’s strange they haven’t tested the fluid to check what it is. Or given you a scan to check fluid levels.

I was leaking fluid when DD2 was around 37w. Stupidly I didn’t go into hospital for 3 days as I was sure it was my bladdder (she was very low down and it didn’t have the distinctive sweet smell which amniotic fluid should have).

Turned out it was my waters (I was 4cm dilated though and hadn’t felt any contractions). They immediately gave me antibiotics and put me on the drip to speed up labour and she arrived without any problems in 3 hours.

If you lie on your side for half an hour and then stand up do you leak? If so it’s likely your waters.

tillytop · 31/08/2018 03:22

I had amniotic fluid leakage with my third dc and it was green. Had cs at 36 weeks, baby fine.

3luckystars · 31/08/2018 03:31

They have strip things that turn navy if it’s fluid. Definitely DEFINITELY go back if you think you are leaking fluid. Don’t wait around or take any chances.

I don’t have experience leaking fluid but I have experienced a bad doctor, luckily only once, but at a maternity hospital, you are vulnerable.

This is your third baby so be very strong if you feel there is something not right. Go back and say that you are not happy. Good luck.

tillytop · 31/08/2018 04:02

Yes. Sorry, should have said, needed an emergency cs so definitely go back, OP.

ThirdChildFourthPile · 31/08/2018 06:19

I think you can buy pads which show whether it's amniotic fluid or not.
How far along are you?

Original poster

Babyangelfairy · 31/08/2018 09:30

Hi all,
Thank you so much, I was beginning to think I was just flapping over nothing, but where as I know every pregnancy is different I had nothing at all like this with my other two.
I’m almost 32wks.
The male doctor I saw explained I needed a scan, and as it was before 5pm I could go for one the same day, he explained about infection/antibiotics etc as well.
Yet the woman (who I think was more senior) literally looked with a speculum and said as my cervix was closed I could go home.
I worried about infection as I swim three times a week- Can I still go? Plus what about sex? I’m worried about that too as I don’t want to exacerbate any problem.
The MW was very blasé as well, she was rather stretched and was having her own mini rant and as I have friends/family they are nurses I completely understand that MW must feel similar stresses.
Yet for them to even write in my notes SPROM not confirmed was worrying as surely if they were that certain they would have written all was OK? They had initially written Unlikely SPROM yet then crossed the unlikely out.
My community midwife is useless as I don’t really have one, two are on long term sick so it’s whoever answers the phone and when I’ve had my three appts so far I’ve seen a different locum each time. Meh🙄
Oh yes, sorry when I get up on the morning I stand up and my pants are wet (fine when laying down, so again another reason doc did say not urine as that would leak in sleep also?)
It doesn’t really have a smell, there’s very little colour, sometimes it dries white, other times colourless, it’s not gloopy but watery.
Thanks ladies x

OP posts:

revertius · 31/08/2018 10:32

That happened to me.

My waters started leaking very slowly. Tiny amounts over the course of one day. I went to my midwife unit and they did a speculum and couldn't be sure if it was discharge or amniotic fluid.

Although I had explained what was coming out was water, didn't smell, was totally clear, etc. They sent me to my local labour ward who did another speculum and eventually decided to keep me in. Although they still couldn't be sure it was my waters as it was such a tiny amount coming out. They said they would scan to check the fluid levels. They didn't actually do this but instead took my word for it. As the second Doctor who had done a speculum said although he couldn't be 100% sure; based on what he could see and what I'd said it was very likely that it was my waters.

It was my first pregnancy too. Trust your instincts! It was my waters. I ended up being kept in for three days. Had IV antiobiotics to prevent infection as my labour didn't start after my waters started leaking. Then labour was artificially augmented.

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