Amniotic Fluid

southernsweetieal

ok, alot of women have had false alarms about leaking fluid. Lots have suggested using a litmus paper at home. I was thinking about this, Pool water test strips are pretty much the same thing they test the ph in the water, so if you know what levels amniotic fluid, urine and vaginal secretions are you should be able to use it as a guide. SO I looked this up.

If there is a question about the amniotic sac being intact or ruptured, Nitrazine Testing may be done by the care providers. Nitrazine Testing tests the pH (acidity or alkalinity ) of the vaginal fluid. The amniotic fluid is generally 7 to 7.5 whereas vaginal secretions are in the range of 4.5 to 5.5. Urine's pH is 5.5 to 6.5. The nitrazine tests use test paper similar to litmus paper, which changes color in an acid or base environment. This paper contains a dye that reacts with vaginal material and can be compared with a standard color chart (see below). Bloody show can produce a false reading of ruptured membranes when the membranes are intact because maternal blood (pH 7.35-7.45) is basic like amniotic fluid.

Nitrazine Test Color Interpretation

Membranes Probably Intact
Yellow	pH 5.0
Olive Yellow	pH 5.5
Olive Green	pH 6.0
Ruptured Membranes
Blue Green	pH 6.5
Blue Gray	pH 7.0
Deep Blue	pH 7.5

So my figuring is if your not bleeding or spotting, you could use a test trip for example like this page to tell and then if it comes up in that line go  in and be doubled checked. I figure we could use the ph one or the Alkinity one it would match their chart as well. Yeah I know kinda mcgiver but I figure its something you can get from walmart or most people have a pool now.

jenniferueding

Since I'm a big geek, I actually have litmus paper at home (and not for this reason).  LOL.