Leaking: Amniotic fluid or just "leakage" - how do you tell?

I've been having a lot of braxton hicks contractions today, and also have been leaking when I stand up - but at what point do I worry? How do you tell if it's amniotic fluid or just regular... um, pregnancy related bladder control issues?

Thanks!

 

I could never tell. A couple of times when I was in the hospital on bedrest I asked my nurse about it, and they would do this swab thing that would tell if it was in fact amniotic fluid. This may be kind of gross, but I guess you could smell it and see if it smells or looks like urine.

Make sure you are drinking lots and lots of water, emptying your bladder often and staying off your feet as much as possible.

If you are concerned you should call your Dr, thats what they are there for. GL!! :hug:

 

My doctor says you can tell best by smell. Not sure what it's supposed to smell like. I would definitely give your doc a call just to see what they say.

 

One of my good friends had a fluid leak and the way she was able to tell that it wasn't just normal pregnancy control issues was that it continued to leak. She put on dry clothes and layed back down and before long was wet again. Then she called the doctor and went in for the test to confirm it was amniotic fluid. If in doubt call your doctor. Take care! Good luck!

 

The only way to know for sure is to go in. They swab you and you know instantly.

That is, if it doesn't have the ammonia smell typical of urine.

I admit, I went in twice because I couldn't tell. The "swipes" were inconclusive so they did a secondary test called "Amniosure".
Apparently this issue is so common they made an actual test for it.

 

I had this same problem - there would be some nights that I would have to change my underwear a few times b/c it would be wet. Yuck I know!

My doctor said that if you are wondering, to go to the bathroom, empty your bladder, put on dry underwear - if you are still leaking then it is Amniotic Fluid - if not and you leak later on, then it is urine.