Discharge or amniotic fluid? TMI Pic

[AOMum14]

Hi guys,

My health anxiety is driving me round the bend!!! I can't stop worrying that my amnotic fluid is breaking and I won't catch it. I have a lot of mental health support for this (I previously lost a baby in third trimester due to a genetic condition they had). I am 28 weeks pregnant currently.

I wear a pad to try and catch anything. Today I sneezed, thought I had peed but when I checked the pad just found this dry patch (see photo - sorry for TMI). Have had nothing since. I also had a scan today (not related to amniotic fears) which came back normal. Do you think this is likely just discharge?

Have called maternity line and they said as nothing is continuing not to worry. They know that amniotic fluid is my main concern. Also any advice on how to get rid of this amniotic fluid fear is welcome!

Many thanks in advance x

I'm very sorry to hear about your loss, I'm glad to hear you have support.

If you are ever worried it's worth checking with the midwives but extra discharge is very normal.

When my waters went towards the end of my pregnancy it was a continuous trickle soaking through pads with no stopping albeit a slowish pace.

I had exactly the same fears and ended up in triage about 4 times getting it checked. When my waters did go, it was a continuous flow over several hours rather than just one amount. They reassured me that extra discharge is normal and can change throughout pregnancy.

I had SO much discharge towards the end of both pregnancies. When my waters went both times, if I laid down on the bed and then stood up, it was a definite feeling of water trickling out (gushing with DD1 🥴) - very different to eg coughing or sneezing and having some leakage of wee or discharge. It very quickly filled up a pad. I'm sorry for your earlier loss and glad you have some good MH support in place. I'm sure the MWs would understand if you wanted to get it checked out. Good luck for the rest of your pregnancy 💐

Amniotic fluid has a very distinctive smell. Almost sweet like pear drops.

Chances are if it's not continual and doesn't smell then it's not your waters.

I get it, I had pprom with my 1st pregnancy and was constantly monitoring my pants with my last one.

I actually went in thinking it was my waters but I could feel a trickle, but was discharge. They said to see how it dries, if it dries see through like water then is likely water, but if it dries flaky or noticeabley a colour then likely discharge