TMI: How will I know if I am leaking fluid...

I always feel wet...I have a lot of discharge and everytime I go to the bathroom, my underwear is wet. I'm pretty sure it's discharge and/or sweat..

Just with being 37 weeks now, and esp with GBS + and needing to get to the hospital right away for antibiotics, I'm nervous that I wont know if my water breaks.

I know when it breaks it can be a big gush, but more likely it leaks slowly...would it be dripping down my leg? because that doesn't happen. I'm sooooo nervous with being this close!!!!!!

Im going to ask mydr Thursday, but would love to hear from BTDT moms.

Re: TMI: How will I know if I am leaking fluid...

i know this sounds gross, but i have heard a fool proof way is to smell the fluid. apparently amniotic fluid from your water breaking has kind of a sweet smell. i know, gross! but in case you cant find any better ways... good luck!

Re: TMI: How will I know if I am leaking fluid...

I wonder this too. I'm not as far along as you (33 weeks), buy my discharge has greatly increased lately.

Re: TMI: How will I know if I am leaking fluid...

Sorry for the TMI, but in the "Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy" she tells a story about a friend whose water broke while she was in the bathroom. She was sitting on the toilet and actually flushed the toilet midway through, because she was worried about it overflowing. And I have a friend whose water broke while she was wearing blue jeans at the supermarket. By the time she got home, the jeans were soaked through, all the day down the legs.

So I think you'll know! They say that when you stand up, the baby's head is like a cork in a bottle, obstructing the flow. It's when you're lying down that it'll come out the fastest, so... if you're really concerned, change into dry undies and try lying down and see if you end up in a puddle. If not, you're ok. And if you really can't tell, you should go to the hospital to get checked out. Once your water breaks, they want that baby OUT in 24 hours at the most.

Re: TMI: How will I know if I am leaking fluid...

I had this question during my first pregnancy. Its hard to know if you are slowly leaking fluid for sure unless you check with your doctor. i had discharge, sweat, and all that you mention and every time I was concerned, the doc wanted me to come in to make sure it wasn't in fact fluid.

But when your water breaks, or even if you are leaking because you are in the process of going in to labor, you know it because it is a LOT more than just discharge and sweat. Definitely ask your doctor about it Thursday.

Re: TMI: How will I know if I am leaking fluid...

I had a slow leak. Thankfully it happened at home. I was on bed rest. It basically felt like I was peeing and could not stop no matter how strong that I held my muscles to stop it. It also smells sweet like straw. I called the obgyn who said go to the hospital. I took a shower and went to the hospital for my "emergency" c/s because DS was breech. He missed his scheduled c/s by 3 days.

Re: TMI: How will I know if I am leaking fluid...

I would call your OB tomorrow morning. I thought I might be leaking on Sunday (smell didn't help - it smelled sweet - not like urine)

I went in on Monday and they did a sono to check my levels and they were fine (since I didn't have any more leaking after that). But they can test the fluid with acidity paper.

Leaking is different than breaking, but there is a 24 hour delivery (loose) rule, to prevent infection - that's why you want to call.

Re: TMI: How will I know if I am leaking fluid...

Thanks everyone...it's definitely nothing like some of your described (where it doesnt stop). I really dont think I am...I'm just curious how I will know when it breaks or does leak since it's already wet down there!

Tomorrow my dr is giving me a sono anyway to check the fluid and baby's weight and I will ask him about it and see what he thinks.

Thanks for the advie, ladies

It's scary at the end!