38 weeks preg, what’s this in pad?

[Mamawhoneedsadvice]

Hi,
so I’m 38 weeks pregnant thought my waters broke last night, I was having some pains so took paracetamol and a bath and then I was sitting on the bed when I got up I had a gush and a trickle, went to the hosp where they monitored me and I was having contractions which was going to 70-80 on the machine midwife didn’t seem worried, checked my waters and said they haven’t broke and just to wear a pad and keep an eye. She checked and said I was 2cm dilated but she couldn’t give me a sweep as my cervix is high. I woke up this morning still with contraction like pains not regular like yesterday and this in my pad any ideas what it could be? Dried blood? Mucus? Discharge? Infection cause of colour? I feel silly going back up so would love sone advice.
oh also to mention I constantly feel the urge to pee but it doesn’t always have anything coming out I did give urine sample and nothing was mentioned after.

thankyou in advance

The toco number doesn't indicate strength of contraction so erase that from your mind.

Sounds like your waters to me. We're very good at not listening to women.

Do you think it was your waters or not?

Also, if it were me, I'd be declining all further vaginal examinations to be in the safe side.

No baths, no sex, nothing should be going up there.

@newbathroomtilez i really did think it was my waters it’s why I went up last night but according to the test it wasn’t.. didn’t really get an answer to what it was when I asked. I had a pee a few mins after I thought my waters broke and when I did tjink my waters broke it was like a gush I couldn’t stop then a trickle down my leg I can normally stop pee if I want and I couldn’t

I would ring labour ward or your midwife and ask to be seen, show them that picture or take the pad with you. It doesn't look like blood to me, I would be concerned in case it water with a bit of meconium in it.
It does sound like your waters could have gone, they don't always go in one gush it can trickle or go in fits and starts. Also it can be your hind water? Someone that knows more than me may be able to advise.

Unfortunately with maternity services at the moment you really have to advocate for yourself.

Have you looked into the evidence base for the test? They tend to be extremely unreliable.

I think your waters have gone, which is ok! The concern re infection is tiny. But again, it would be good to look into these risks yourself.

You have to question everything, and make sure you are as informed as possible.

Hopefully you've already gone in to be checked but if not definitely do it now. To me that looks like when my waters broke without labour starting and there was meconium in them. Not much there but definitely want it checked asap.

Did you get checked @Mamawhoneedsadvice

Sounds like waters have gone! Hope you're ok x

I went up Thursday and then seen the midwife Friday, but they keep saying my waters haven’t broke but can’t explain the liquid I lost. I had my urine sent off and a LVS swab and both came back fine. So I’m really confused, because Wednesday evening I thought my waters broke but didn’t and then Thursday Friday and today these has been my pads but before Wednesday I would only lose clear discharge..
Just really confused and getting no answers and everytime I ask I feel like they don’t care and I’m just wasting there time..

@Mamawhoneedsadvice could it be parts of your mucus plug maybe?

@Catson thankyou I have been googling and I reckon it does look like that.

Did they do a scan to check liquid volume around baby? They thought mine hadn't gone, turned out my hindwaters had!

Also thought mucus plug

I lost my hind waters with DS3. Luckily he was my 3rd so I was able to advocate. Lost forewaters with #1 and #4 and it was constant gushing with every step. With #3 it was hind waters - this means DS broke the water bag up at the top with his feet. I had a gush and then no more, because his head plugged the flow. I found lying down and coughing hard would bring a little more water down. Can you get some in your knickers instead of a pad, for testing?

@HappyGoLuckyLuLu not been offered a scan they just keep telling me it’s not my waters. They have phoned me this morning to see if I’m interested to be induced but thats it.

@Toasticles i will try that right now, thankyou