There are a few factors that may help you tell the difference: Pee is usually dark yellow and has a distinct odor. Amniotic fluid is mostly clear or light yellow (although it can be tinged brown or red) and odorless. You can't stop amniotic fluid.
The easiest way to determine if it is amniotic fluid, urine, or discharge is to put on clean, dry underwear and a pad or panty liner. Then lie down for about a half hour. If the fluid is amniotic fluid, it will pool or gather in the vagina while you lie down.
Like peeing - For some people, their water breaking feels like they're peeing due to the sensation of liquid trickling out. Pressure - Once the water breaks, some people will feel increased pressure in their pelvic area and/or perineum.
So, if you're worried about your water breaking suddenly when you're out on the street, you can rest assured that most women get advanced warning in the form of strong contractions. Sometimes, water breaks while you're sleeping.
The signs of water breaking include feeling a slow leak or a sudden gush of water. Some women feel a slight pop, while others might feel fluid coming out in bursts as they change positions.
Your baby will continue to move once your water breaks. However, without that extra fluid and cushioning, there is diminished buoyancy. This will result in the baby not being able to reposition if the baby is malpositioned (in a less ideal positionfor birth).
Once it starts flowing, the amniotic fluid will continue leaking until all 600-800 milliliters (or roughly 2 1/2-3 cups) of it empties out. In the meantime, you can wear a sanitary pad to protect your clothes or lay a clean towel underneath you to protect your seat.
Many pregnant people go into labor within 12 hours of their water breaking. However, 1 in 10 will not go into labor on their own after a day or so. A person may consider contacting their doctor if they do not experience any signs of labor within several hours of their water breaking.
Your mucus plug will usually come out before your water breaks, though you can leak amniotic fluid through a tear — which doesn't necessarily mean you've lost your mucus plug yet, as it prevents bacteria from traveling up to baby, not water from leaking out.
Sign #5: It's not sticky and thick like discharge
Amniotic fluid, on the other hand, is typically very thin and watery. Also take care not to confuse water breaking with losing your mucus plug, which is another sign of approaching labor.
Signs of leaking amniotic fluid
Leaking amniotic fluid might feel like a gush of warm fluid or a slow trickle from the vagina. It will usually be clear and odorless but may sometimes contain traces of blood or mucus. If the liquid is amniotic fluid, it is unlikely to stop leaking.
If your water breaks, whether you're experiencing contractions or not, go to the hospital. This will help reduce the risk of infection. Note the color, odor and amount of fluid when your water broke.
This fabulous hormone interacts with oxytocin to promote contractions, and melatonin is the hormone that is responsible for encouraging us to go to sleep! So clearly it reaches it's peak during the dark hours, making us more likely to go start contracting in the evening.
A trickle of fluid can feel like your water is breaking, but other things can cause this feeling, too. Many women have a change in vaginal discharge during pregnancy. That discharge can be clear like fluid, or have a pink tinge closer to delivery. A yeast infection can also increase the amount of discharge you produce.
The cervix generally needs to be dilated to 10 centimeters before it's ready for the baby to pass through. Your cervix can be dilated to a couple of centimeters for a few weeks before delivery. This softening can cause the mucus plug to be dislodged and come out.
Texture: It has a gelatinous look and is thick while in the cervix, but typically becomes thin and more liquid once expelled. Size: The mucus plug is about 4-5 centimeters long, or about 1 ounce in volume. If your body doesn't expel the plug all at once, it may seem like much less.
A bloody show is a common symptom during late pregnancy when a small amount of blood and mucus is released from the vagina. A bloody show occurs because the cervix starts to soften and thin (efface) and widen (dilate) in preparation for labor. When your cervix dilates, it's making room for your baby to pass through.
As long as the mucus plug discharges after 37 weeks of pregnancy or later and you and your doctor have no concerns, there is nothing specific you need to do after losing the mucus plug. Even if you lose your mucus plug several weeks before delivery, don't worry.
Excess vaginal discharge can occur due to arousal, ovulation, or infections. Normal vaginal discharge contains a mixture of cervical mucus, vaginal fluid, dead cells, and bacteria. Females may experience heavy vaginal discharge from arousal or during ovulation.
If your water has truly broken, you'll notice more fluids leaking when you're lying down than when you're standing, sitting or walking. That's because when you're upright, your baby's head blocks the cervical opening and keeps most amniotic fluid trapped inside.