Leaking at 27 weeks...

[Mimba1]

I've noticed that my underwear is getting damp semi-regularly. My initial thought was that with everything going on down there I was just wetting myself slightly (lovely thought I know...) but I put a panty liner in and it is definitely damp but still perfectly white so I don't know if it's wee or amniotic fluid. Whatever it is there isn't a lot of it - it's damp not wet after a couple of hours.

Has anyone else had this? I have my next midwife appointment in 2 weeks. Is it OK to see what happens and mention it then or do I need to contact someone urgently? The community midwife never ever answers the phone and doesn't have an answer machine so my only option is to phone the hospital. I've already been in a couple of times for reduced movement (I am incredibly anxious due to previous losses and seemingly have an erratic baby) and don't want to use up resources in COVID if this isn't actually an emergency and can wait.

I’d call your maturity department and say you think you might be leaking water. They can test if it is your waters and will be able to advise

Smell the discharge. Urine smells like urine, amniotic fluid is slightly sweet and inoffensive smelling.
I would ring the NHS 111 if you can't get a response from your midwife. If you are leaking amniotic fluid then you do need to speak with a doctor.

Ring triage - they will check. I went in for similar during my 1st pregnancy. Turned out to be heavy discharge so no further treatment needed.

If it is waters, it absolutely cannot wait 2 weeks.

Probably discharge, the smell of amniotic fluid is unmistakable.
If you think it could be your waters, go in, they can check with a quick swab.

As a midwife I have never smelt sweet liquor. It usually smells like sperm.

However. If you're in doubt - get checked. There is a test they can perform to determine if it is amniotic fluid. It's crucial if you're unsure that you get this done.

I am 27 weeks too and have experienced similar this past week or so, the other day was to the point I had to have a feel to see what it was. It didn't smell of anything tbh. I was wearing my pyjamas with no underwear and was convinced I'd wee'd a bit as my I had a wet oatch! Having wet underwear too but it isn't wee. Sorry if TMI!

Damp underwear is a better way to describe it.

snapple
My only experience is my own. My waters broke and I didn't go into labour. Was checked over by a midwife who had an assistant with them and this is pretty much verbatim what the midwife said to the student.

You can get some special pads from Boots which change colour depending on if its urine or amniotic fluid. I think they are called Amniosense or something like that but also give triage a call.

Thanks everyone. Went to triage and they tested - not amniotic fluid and they didn't think urine but they weren't worried. Good to get it checked though so thanks for the advice.

That's reassuring.