TMI: is this normal pregnancy discharge or should I be worried about leaking amniotic fluid?

[ChristmasBaby2026]

Currently 20 weeks.

The last few days I’ve been worried that I might be leaking amniotic fluid but I’m also really worried about overreacting.

I know that more watery discharge is normal in pregnancy but is it normal to get large wet patches in your underwear? It isn’t constant which is what makes me think it’s just discharge and there is some obvious discharge as well… however it is very thin/clear and has leaked through my underwear to my trousers and it is just WET.

I get this too, I do think it's normal because I've had scans and plenty of fluid round the baby, and my cervix is closed, but if in any doubt ring triage, that is what they are there for.

I would really advise to go to the hospital and have this checked up. I had amniotic fluid leak at 17 weeks pregnancy and ended up losing my pregnancy at 20 weeks, which was devastating.

Amniotic fluid has quite a distinctive smell. It's very sweet smelling, like pear drops.

It's also really easy to detect with a quick swab by a midwife, so if you have any concerns at all that it might be amniotic fluid call the hospital.

This was not my experience when I suffered PPROM (my membrane breaking). I was told at the hospital that tests that detect amniotic fluid are very unreliable. It was only after carrying out a scan and then another a few weeks later that they were able to properly diagnose that I had lost my amniotic fluid.

Regardless, it's 100% something to get checked as soon as possible, because if your membrane breaks (which I really hope isn't the case for OP) then there is risk of infection developing very quickly.

I'm 23 weeks and in this pregnancy and my previous successful one I remember having damp knickers a lot. I just wear panty liners from a certain point but also change knickers extra times. I'm assuming it's a combination of watery discharge and sweat because of the warm weather but it isn't constant as I don't wear liners overnight or in the evening.

Whilst it could be normal though I'd trust your instinct as a mothers instinct is strong! If you're worried get it checked :)

If you are worried please ring maternity triage and get checked. leaking through to your trousers is more than I ever had

Must be a case of different hospitals then 😁

I had PPROM with my first and they swabbed (admittedly the midwife had pretty much diagnosed by smell i think!)

And I had bleeding with my 2nd (alot) and they swabbed everytime looking for amniotic fluid and seemed pretty confident with the result.

I've just seen you were a bit earlier than me when you experienced PPROM. I was 33 weeks with DD1 and 26 weeks with the first swab with DD2 so maybe its more effective a bit further on?

It must be different hospitals. Literally every doctor I spoke to said that the amniotic fluid tests weren't reliable, and they didn't mention gestation. But who knows!

It’s really important that you go to maternity triage so this can be investigated. Go today, don’t delay any further.

Pop to the hospital maternity unit with a sample (underwear) - they can test it in minutes. Better safe than sorry

I hope you're OK OP <3

Thank you! I had my 20 week scan today and all was well - and it’s a girl 🩷

Congratulations! I'm so glad to hear all is well