Sooner or later, every pregnant woman asks herself the question: How do you detect amniotic fluid in your panties?
And how do you differentiate amniotic fluid, as it is also called, from vaginal discharge or fluoride?
The questions are not trivial.
If amniotic fluid is developing, quick action is necessary, while discharge is harmless in most cases.
What makes the difference anyway?
What can help you determine this?
And when should you have discharge checked by a gynecologist?
Since you are eagerly awaiting the prospect of becoming a mother , you will find answers in this article that will hopefully put your mind at ease.
How do you know if amniotic fluid is leaking?
You cannot retain amniotic fluid with your pelvic muscles.
Women then feel completely incontinent.
If it comes out in a gush, your first thought might be that you couldn’t hold the urine and peed in your panties.
Amniotic fluid is not thick. Unlike urine, however, it either has no odor or has a slightly sweet smell.
Sometimes it can be slightly pink, although most of the time it has no color.
The pH value is very high at over 7.
This is a very clear sign that it is amniotic fluid, because otherwise the value of the vaginal environment is around 4.
It is best to contact your midwife, who will check the pH value.
But you can also do this on your own, using litmus paper.
You can order the test strip online or buy it at the pharmacy.
If you notice something greenish in your panties, please go to the hospital urgently.
It could be greenish-colored amniotic fluid.
This occurs when the unborn child excretes meconium or stool in the womb.
This is life-threatening for the baby.
A cesarean section, which some women are particularly afraid of, is then necessary.
How do you notice that amniotic fluid is leaking?
If you suddenly have to change your panties more often and have not had strong vaginal discharge until then, this will certainly make you suspicious.
Then it may be amniotic fluid that is coming out drop by drop.
Pay attention to the smell, color and consistency and also consider the pH value.
It may be a high rupture of the membranes or rupture of the membranes if the amniotic sac ruptures high above the internal os of the cervix and the amniotic fluid leaks out in droplets.
In some cases, the small defect in the amniotic sac regulates itself and the small hole closes by itself.
Then amniotic fluid is produced again.
But be sure to let your midwife or gynecologist clarify the matter.
Finally, a discharge of amniotic fluid means that the birth canal is open.
Infection is now possible and this can be dangerous.
What happens if amniotic fluid leaks unnoticed?
If amniotic fluid leaks from the vagina and you mistake it for vaginal discharge or urine in the panty liner, an infection may be occurring unnoticed.
Regular check-ups with your gynecologist are therefore important.
It may even go unnoticed during an ultrasound examination that the amniotic sac is no longer tight.
But this only happens if enough amniotic fluid is produced and it closes again.
Otherwise, the gynecologist will notice that you are losing amniotic fluid.
To prevent infection, antibiotics are usually prescribed.
The fight against bacteria is important to prevent premature birth.
Although the contents of the amniotic sac are sterile, this is not necessarily true of its outer layer, which is called the chorion.
Even in healthy pregnancies, bacteria can be found in the chorion.
Most of the time these are harmless for the course of pregnancy.
But too many bacteria can thin the membrane around the child and lead to premature rupture of the membranes.
Premature rupture of the membranes occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy (GW), in 2 to 5% of all pregnancies.
The amniotic sac then ruptures before labor begins.
If labor does not begin within 24 hours of rupture of the membranes, labor will be induced clinically.
You may find it reassuring to learn more about the different types of contractions .
What to do if amniotic fluid leaks?
Whether your water breaks or you experience a drop of amniotic fluid leaking, contact your midwife or maternity clinic immediately.
Try to stay calm, lie down and keep your pelvic floor elevated, for example on a pillow.
Also insert a pad or panty liner that can absorb amniotic fluid well.
These will be examined more closely by obstetricians.
The amniotic fluid is warm and nutrient-rich, making it a favorable environment for bacteria.
As you have already read, if they spread, they can lead to a dangerous infection.
Usually, contractions begin soon after the membranes break.
If not, labor is induced clinically.
The more you know about the birth process and your options, the less fear you will have.
That’s why it’s good to know as much as possible about childbirth.
How do I distinguish amniotic fluid from discharge?
So far you have learned that amniotic fluid is odorless or has a sweet smell, and is colorless and watery.
Above all, the litmus test of the pH value (normally 4, with amniotic fluid over 7) can provide you with information.
Because it is sometimes not so easy to distinguish amniotic fluid at the end of pregnancy from strong vaginal fluoride.
In some pregnant women it becomes thick and can therefore be clearly distinguished from the amniotic fluid.
But other expectant mothers have thin, watery discharge and are understandably confused.
After all, you can’t control these by exerting your pelvic floor.
Whitish or yellowish discharge indicates normal discharge, which is no cause for concern.
This is often even the case with brownish vaginal discharge during pregnancy, although you should have this checked by a gynecologist to be on the safe side.
White vaginal discharge as cleansing and protection
Whether whitish or rather colorless, the typical leukorrhea consists of water and mucous membrane cells of the uterus and vagina and has the task of cleaning these areas and protecting them from infections.
Increased discharge of this type during pregnancy is caused by hormonal changes and improved blood circulation.
It is excreted more quickly and can occur at any time, from the first to the last weeks of pregnancy.
As long as there is no discoloration or unpleasant smell, everything is fine.
Yellowish discharge does not necessarily have to be pathological
Vaginal discharge can be yellowish if your body produces more estrogen.
So if you notice that you sometimes have whitish or colorless and sometimes yellowish discharge, this is due to hormonal fluctuations and is no cause for concern.
If you see a yellowish discoloration, you can be sure that it is not amniotic fluid.
If the yellowish discharge smells strong or unpleasant or is accompanied by itching in the vaginal area, you should see your gynecologist as soon as possible.
These are signs of an infection (usually caused by yeast) or vaginosis.
Brownish discharge does not always mean red alert
When pregnant women experience brownish discharge, even in late pregnancy, they are more likely to think of a (threatened) miscarriage or premature birth than of amniotic fluid.
Unfortunately, brown spotting during pregnancy is sometimes actually a sign that a miscarriage is occurring.
This is also the reason why women are strongly advised to see a gynecologist immediately if they have brownish vaginal discharge.
On the other hand, the suspicious discharge can also be harmless. After all, up to one-third of all pregnant women experience brownish discharge without experiencing any pregnancy complications.
In some cases, brown discharge occurs around the time when the pregnant woman would have had her period.
And sometimes they occur after sexual intercourse and are the result of better blood circulation in the genital area.
See your gynecologist immediately if the discharge is painful or lasts for more than a few days.
Even if you are very worried, it is much better to go to the gynecologist than to drive yourself crazy on the internet.
Final thoughts
Many pregnant women experience the release of amniotic fluid from the 37th week of pregnancy at the earliest, in a gush-like manner and similar to urinating on the toilet.
It’s easily mistaken for urine, so you might think you’re incontinent.
However, a ruptured amniotic sac or a ruptured membrane can be distinguished from both urine and discharge by its color, smell and consistency.
Above all, the pH value, which you can also determine with a self-test, brings you clarity.
Sometimes the amniotic fluid comes out in drops and its release even goes unnoticed.
Because there is a risk of infection that can lead to premature birth, it is important that you detect amniotic fluid in your panties early on.
That’s why in this article you will learn about the signs that you are losing amniotic fluid and how it differs from vaginal discharge.
If in doubt, please go to your gynecologist or the hospital.
Even in the case of premature rupture of the membranes (before the 37th week of pregnancy), an existing infection usually needs to be treated with antibiotics and labor induced.
So, get a litmus test and contact your midwife if you suspect you have amniotic fluid in your panties.
And don’t worry, everything will be fine!
