I had my first big gush of fluid around 18 weeks. No contractions, LO moving just fine, and it stopped after that gush. The next day I had an appointment with my MFM, and he said that as long as it stopped, that was a good sign. Fluid levels looked fine.
A few weeks later, it happened again. It was well over a cup full. I went to the ER and I did test positive for amniotic fluid. I was monitored overnight and did not have any contractions, LO was not in any type of distress, so I was sent home the next day. Even though I tested positive for fluid, the on-call OB told me it was probably urine and that my cervix was still closed so it couldn't have been amniotic fluid, especially since it wasn't a constant leak.
The follow up visit was annoying. My OB was out of town so I saw another OB in the same practice. He didn't look through my chart apparently because he told me it was discharge. A CUP of clear discharge with white flecks in it, really, dude? I informed him that I tested positive for fluid at the hospital, so he did an internal. Cervix was long and closed, fern test was negative. I was told to increase water intake to 10+ cups a day.
At this point, I don't know what to do. I've leaked amniotic fluid close to 10 times since it initially happened. It hasn't been a cup full since the ER, until today. I probably have over a cup full now. I haven't had any contractions. Though, when the fluid comes out, my bump shrinks in size and LO thrashes around for a few minutes. No one seems concerned. This happened with DS but I was 37 weeks. I went into labor with him 2 weeks later. With my illness, a huge risk is PTL and I'm really worried that this keeps happening. I did see my regular OB and she is telling me it's discharge too.
Weird things can happen with a rare autoimmune disease coupled with pregnancy, and no one knows much about it other than the few case studies you can find online. I think everyone is kind of stumped as to how to approach this. What else can I do besides wait for contractions or decreased movement? I actually brought my container of fluid into the ER last time so they could see how much it was, and basically nothing was done about it. Not even orders for bed rest. My main concerns are infection and poor growth. Am I wrong for being frustrated? Is there really nothing they can do about it? I see my MFM 11-19 for a growth scan. I know they can't stop the leaking, but I feel like a crazy pregnant woman every time they tell me it's urine or discharge. I really feel like they're rolling their eyes at me for making such a big deal about this. Sorry for the long rant!
Re: Anyone know about hind water leaks? (Long)
I dont have any helpful advice or anything, but I would trust your gut on this one. Can you get a second opinion?? Keep being the squeaky wheel even if that means they get annoyed with you for showing up all the time for leaking amniotic fluid....you have to look at for you and your baby!
Take care my dear! That's very scary! (((hugs)))
This, absolutely. I cannot believe that they're just shrugging their shoulders at a cup of fluid. I felt like a paranoid FTM when I kept complaining about my constant BH with DD, but finally I switched OBs and got the confirmation I needed that that was not normal and needed to be monitored. I felt so much better when someone finally told me I wasn't crazy and was right to be concerned. If I were you, I would also keep pursuing this with your regular OB, HR OB, ER, whoever, until you get someone who takes you seriously and looks into it.
BFP1: DD1 born April 2011 at 34w1d via unplanned c/s due to HELLP, DVT 1 week PP
BFP3: DD2 born Feb 2013 at 38w4d via unplanned RCS due to uterine dehiscence
My super all about me birth story:
Then: Fraternal twins born at 26 weeks in 1983. Me: 640 grams. Brother: 840 grams. Family kept watch in the NICU for 5 months before being allowed to go home. On oxygen for a year and a half after being released.
Now: Me: PhD student and married. Brother: Lawyer and married.
Dad's wedding speech: Thank you to all the family who stood watch and prayed for our children's survival. Well now the little scrawny chicken is married. Who would've thought? (Thanks dad for making me laugh and cry at the same time).
My BFP Chart
I agree with this. I'm sorry that you're going through this. Keep trying until someone takes you more seriously.