Testing your own fluid

love-mom-life

Has anyone else worried that the leakiness or discharge we have could be AF?? Has anyone bought the PH strips to check on their own? I just never want to miss a fluid leak.

VesperLove

@xmasbaby15, in my birthing preparedness class they talked about this. The lady said that if it was a full break you would definitely know. If it's a leak obviously it's harder to tell. She said that it will likely feel like you are peeing your pants a tiny bit (a little more than just feeling the release of discharge). And she said the best thing to do is to expel your bladder completely and if it happens again within 20 minutes (how long it takes for your bladder to refill) then it could very likely be AF. I'll likely just use that test for myself and if I'm concerned it is AF then I'll call my OB and likely go in and have them test it. 

sunneedays

I actually bought pool PH strips to test it myself since I thought I was leaking and it was during the weekend.  I was just so worried about it.  I still ended up talking to my doctor about it and she tested me as well.  Both the PH test I did and hers were negative.  It at least gave me enough peace of mind to make it through the next 24 hours.  However, if you are feeling leaking throughout the day that you don't think is urine, you should probably get checked soon.

taysun

I'm going to try not to come across as mean or rude here but I have noticed you seem to have a lot of anxiety regarding your pregnancy. Have you talked to your doctor about how you're feeling? I know anxiety is normal and pregnancy is scary for a lot of reasons and obviously I'm only reading what you post, but your doctor may have some suggestions to help ease your worries. And if you do discuss your worries make sure you're clear about what is bothering you and how much it's bothering you, because I think a "discharge is normal" statement probably won't help you.

stephaniearthurs

I had this concern too! I was like 99.9%sure that it was urine (it wasn't constant, I never dripped out, and usually associated with either having to pee or just having peed). I talked to my doctor today and he said it sounds like urine, but if it gets worse to call them. He also said that if I wear a pad, and soak it, then that could be an issue. I tried wearing a pad the other day, and after 4 hours it was still dry even though I felt damp.

I guess what I'm saying is that you aren't the only one who worried, and it's probably nothing. I would ask your doctor first! They will have a more accurate way of testing it then a at home test kit.

313Meg

Last pregnancy I was leaking and had no idea. I was no more damp than what I though I was normally at that time (though it was super hot out and I was sweaty). But I felt like crap. Like I had the flu minus throwing up. And irregular but intense contractions for 2 days.

Follow your gut. And if you don't have fluid coming out it will be hard to test. They couldn't tell until they did the internal swab.

AlejandraN2

PP's advice is a good one. Also, when i thought my water broke, one test they asked me to do in the hospital was cough. If i was coughing and fluid came out every time i coughed then that would more likely be amniotic fluid. Although, i sort of pee a little on myself when i sneeze or cough in general so not sure how accurate the test is. 

Court11152325

Ahhhh AF is amniotic fluid... I was pretty confused about needing PH strips for aunt flow.

313Meg

AlejandraN2 said:

PP's advice is a good one. Also, when i thought my water broke, one test they asked me to do in the hospital was cough. If i was coughing and fluid came out every time i coughed then that would more likely be amniotic fluid. Although, i sort of pee a little on myself when i sneeze or cough in general so not sure how accurate the test is. 

I stand and drip, cough I drip more and sneeze... Pretty much wet my pants

love-mom-life

taysun said:

I'm going to try not to come across as mean or rude here but I have noticed you seem to have a lot of anxiety regarding your pregnancy. Have you talked to your doctor about how you're feeling? I know anxiety is normal and pregnancy is scary for a lot of reasons and obviously I'm only reading what you post, but your doctor may have some suggestions to help ease your worries. And if you do discuss your worries make sure you're clear about what is bothering you and how much it's bothering you, because I think a "discharge is normal" statement probably won't help you.

Then, don't read my posts. I'm during great in my pregnancy. I have a great support system and midwife team reassuring me this whole time.
I thought this was a place to share your concerns and not be judged for it.

Mizuiro007

xmasbaby15 said:

taysun said:

I'm going to try not to come across as mean or rude here but I have noticed you seem to have a lot of anxiety regarding your pregnancy. Have you talked to your doctor about how you're feeling? I know anxiety is normal and pregnancy is scary for a lot of reasons and obviously I'm only reading what you post, but your doctor may have some suggestions to help ease your worries. And if you do discuss your worries make sure you're clear about what is bothering you and how much it's bothering you, because I think a "discharge is normal" statement probably won't help you.

Then, don't read my posts. I'm during great in my pregnancy. I have a great support system and midwife team reassuring me this whole time.
I thought this was a place to share your concerns and not be judged for it.

This is an open forum on the internet, everyone and everything is open to judgement. That said, I read what @taysun said as coming from a place of concern rather than judgement. Personally, I would take some comfort in someone paying attention enough to notice a pattern and voice concern.

taysun

xmasbaby15 said:

taysun said:

I'm going to try not to come across as mean or rude here but I have noticed you seem to have a lot of anxiety regarding your pregnancy. Have you talked to your doctor about how you're feeling? I know anxiety is normal and pregnancy is scary for a lot of reasons and obviously I'm only reading what you post, but your doctor may have some suggestions to help ease your worries. And if you do discuss your worries make sure you're clear about what is bothering you and how much it's bothering you, because I think a "discharge is normal" statement probably won't help you.

Then, don't read my posts. I'm during great in my pregnancy. I have a great support system and midwife team reassuring me this whole time.
I thought this was a place to share your concerns and not be judged for it.

I'm sorry you took that as judgement. Like I said, I wasn't trying to come across as rude or mean and I really wasn't trying to dismiss your concerns. Hopefully you found some good advice from the other comments and you can get some peace of mind in regards to your concerns.

ETA I'm not apologizing for my previous post. If it doesn't seem applicable to you then why get worked up?

LMJL

@xmasbaby15- I really don't think that @taysun meant to judge you at all. It didn't come across that way at all to me & having reading many of her other posts I know she is usually one of the more helpful & positive posters here. That said, if the comment was directed at me I would probably feel the same & get defensive. This IS a place where we can voice all the little worries we have with others going through the same thing without people thinking we're losing it! I, too have wondered if I was leaking from time to time but try to not think about it & it clears up & I know it was just "normal" pregnancy weirdness yet again! I'm glad you have a great midwife who you trust. I don't really have the most faith in my ob practice, I called it the McDonald's of OBs today b/c they made me feel like an egg mc muffin at my last appt! So I'm more than a little jealous of you!