Leaking fluid: how do you know?

cpt430

Was hoping that someone might be able to tell me how you know if you are leaking fluid? I don't have another doctor appointment until next week and I planning on asking about it then, but until then I thought I would ask you ladies. My first son really slowed Dian his movements around 3738 weeks and at my 39 week appointment my doctor decided to do an ultrasound to measure my fluid levels and it turned out they were way low. I was immediately sent to be induced. Didn't have this problem with my second and really never worried about it. I then had two miscarriages before becoming pregnant this time so now I worry about everything! The days when I have heavier discharge or if it not quite as thick somedays I worry it might be fluid. Mind you as far as I know I never leaked with my first. I have tried googling the difference between discharge and fluid and get a lit if conflicting information. For example one site says fluid has a sweet smell like semen and others say it has no smell. Any insights are appreciated.

Mrs JillB

If you really think you're leaking fluid, you should call your dr ASAP.

jennipalmer

I thought I was leaking fluid with this pregnancy but turns out your bladder on third 10 pound baby is pretty leaky. I did leak with my second which is what sparked fear that I was leaking. But I was on week 38 and I realized I was leaking because I was laying in bed and it felt as if I peed on myself which was weird just lying still in bed. When I got up it wasn't a constant leak but an occasional "squirt" but that also has to do with where the leak was. My leak was high up and having to drip down before leaking out.  

karirlaw

I too struggle with this.  And you are right, there is a lot of conflicting information out there. One thing my DR told me that has helped, is.. unlike discharge, bag fluid will be constant.  meaning, it wont be heavy in the morning, and dissapear by afternoon.  A test they gave me is to lay down for a half hour or so, and then stand up.  if it is bag, it will have pooled inside you and will start rushing out.

Good luck!

monalisa577

If you're leaking, it could be one of three things: leukorrhea, pee, or amniotic fluid. Leukorrhea is thicker and somewhat sticky, like egg whites. Pee is watery and smells like...well, pee. If it isn't white and sticky, and it doesn't smell like pee, then call your doctor.

Something else to consider: If you were leaking amniotic fluid, even if it's a slow leak, the flow would be constant. It wouldn't stop. It'd be a lot more than just a random wet spot in your panties. It would soak a pad, you'd change it, and it would soak the next one, too. Definitely call your doctor in that case.

kt012885

NKaeding:

This is what I've heard is the best way to test, minus the strips your OB has. 

Go to the rest room and completely empty your bladder. Change your underwear and go lay down for like 30-45 minutes. If it's amniotic fluid, you'll feel a small gush or flow when you stand up. If it's discharge or urine, that won't likely happen. 

I don't know enough about this but I have a small gush or flow sometimes when I stand up.  It's white and creamy looking and I just assumed it was discharge.  Now I'm concerned that maybe I need to watch it more closely?  Is it possible to have discharge come gushing out every once in a while?

monalisa577

kt012885:

NKaeding:

This is what I've heard is the best way to test, minus the strips your OB has. 

Go to the rest room and completely empty your bladder. Change your underwear and go lay down for like 30-45 minutes. If it's amniotic fluid, you'll feel a small gush or flow when you stand up. If it's discharge or urine, that won't likely happen. 

I don't know enough about this but I have a small gush or flow sometimes when I stand up.  It's white and creamy looking and I just assumed it was discharge.  Now I'm concerned that maybe I need to watch it more closely?  Is it possible to have discharge come gushing out every once in a while?

If it's white and creamy, it's not aminiotic fluid. If it doesn't flow all day, every day, non-stop, it's not amniotic fluid. Some days leukkorhea can be heavier than others. 

valstulas

There are some really good suggestions on here about how to tell if it's discharge, fluid, or urine, but only a doctor who has seen you can tell. Call your doctor. She'll send you up to L and D, do a quick speculum exam, and take a sample of any fluid she finds in your vagina. That is the only way to know for sure, so call today.

cmonteiro

Same page here. But today decided to wear a pad as it had been leaking through my pants not pee, but white sticky. However today, after my 1hr work out, I realized the pad turn tan/brown and stick. Call the
Doctor, going in tomorrow. Just checking baby movements right now. She is still kicking good. They told me to keep hydrated as I usually do anyway and call if there is any blood or pain or decrease in baby movements

PrimRoseMama

Mrs JillB:

If you really think you're leaking fluid, you should call your dr ASAP.

Absolutely. If there is even a question they will test you with a strip to see. Don't fart around with that.

ChristinaHammer

I leaked fluid with my first son. It would come in little gushes. I would use the restroom thinking it was pee, then shortly after I would get a little gush of fluid, then 5 or 10 min later another little gush. Not enough to fill a panty liner, but definitely a noticeable amount. I didnt notice it smelling like anything, but i didnt sniff it so i font know for sure. I went to the hospital and they confirmed it with the test strips and enduced me right then. Hope that helps!

Tammyhull82

i noticed this as well. my underwear are always wet and i assumed it was discharge but i have been getting a brownish colour on my panty liner.. been feeling her move but not nearly as much. i see my ob tomorrow so im going to talk to her about it. but if you think something is off then its best to get checked..