Water breaking or just discharge?!?

[literategiraffe]

So to get straight to the point, I’m having a bit of discharge, it’s clear and smells pretty inoffensive. It’s definitely more than usual but it’s not gushing out or anything excessive. But I’m worried that it’s my waters breaking anyway! I’ve tried my midwife’s number but she’s off today and tomorrow and the rest of my notes are at home which have the other community midwife numbers in. DP is travelling back from a work trip & has said I should just leave work & go phone one of the other community midwives. But I’m not sure if I’m over-reacting or not!

I’m 20 weeks & we just had our 20 week scan last week & everything is fine. I’m sure I’m worrying about nothing but this is the furthest in a pregnancy I’ve gotten (2 previous chemical pregnancies and a molar pregnancy in the last 2yrs) so I’m a little more on edge than I would be normally! It doesn’t help that after a really active day yesterday baby hasn’t really moved much today (although I’m aware a pattern in movements isn’t expected at this stage).

What would you guys do? Should I just go home, get the number & call one of the other community midwifes or am I over-reacting and should I just try and relax a bit and see what happens the rest of the afternoon?

To reassure you I had a few gushes of clear fluid including one incident in M&S in which it soaked through my jeans and was fine, BUT... you need proper medical advice, contact your local EPAU or labour ward. Just Google the number. Best wishes.

Sounds normal to me. Your discharge will increase as you get further on in pregnancy. I had to use pantyliners when in the third trimester or I would soak through my jeans!

In my very limited experience (only one DC so far), you know when it's your waters as there is either a lot or it constantly leeks (and there is nothing you can do to stop it!), so it doesn't sound like waters to me. Also waters is very much water (if that makes sense!). However if you are worried call the labour ward, that's what my notes say to do for any issues after 16 weeks, and they should be able to advise you further.
Oh and on a said note I have definitely had more discharge during pregnancy than I ever had, so that is pretty normal.

Hi OP. It is very true that discharge increases as your pregnancy goes on. But it is also possible to have a slow leak. I had slow leaks at the very end of 2 pregnancies and the first time I was checked in hospital and they couldn't find any evidence of amniotic fluid while I was there, but it definitely was. (they broke fully later that day!)

I think you can't do any harm by ringing the other midwife. Do your notes have the details for your maternity assessment unit and what week you can use it from?

Just to be awkward, mine was very subtle, not gushing at all, and not constant, but both times I suspected something was different, and both times I had a big break within hours.

I’ve had a slow leak in two pregnancies. Pop a pad in and go to the maternity triage, they’ll test if it’s amniotic fluid or not.

I was wondering if this is right cause I’ve lost my mucus plug and it is brown and snotty I was expecting it too be yellow with a bit of red blood not brown..

Char, you may want to start your own thread, you'll get more responses that way. x

A basic test for waters is to lie down for a while and then stand up. If liquid gushes out just after standing then it's more likely to be waters (esp if it happens each time). The babie's head can act as a plug which "seals" the opening if you're already upright. When lying down it loosens a bit so there's more space for liquid to escape. Discharge tends to happen randomly at all times, regardless of position.

Though best to get to get it checked out. There's a very simple swab test they can do and a microscope test to check for a fern-like pattern on dried liquid. Both together will give you a definite answer.

hi all,
Left work a little early yesterday and spoke to my midwife who said it probably was completely normal but that it wouldn't hurt to call the MAU and see what they said.
The MAU asked some questions and told me just to pop in and they would do a quick check. Went in and they were lovely, I felt like such a over-reacting first timer but they reassured me telling me that they'd rather I came in for a check and have nothing wrong than stay home and have something bad happen.
Did a urine check and a swab, both clear for amniotic fluid, then she checked baby's heartbeat (which she found immediately and it was good) and then finally cervical check which was also fine but I had a little mucus so they have referred my notes to a specialist in pre-term labour just to double check that it's not a problem.
By the time I got home I was absolutely knackered so had pizza for tea , dog was thrilled.

Glad your concerns were listened to OP and sounds like they did a thorough check. Thanks for updating