Did my waters break?

[Pom]

Ummm....I don' t know what' s going on here, but I've had 2 bouts of leakage tonight and um...it seemed kind of a lot. TMI warning here, but I soaked through 2 pairs of underwear and 1 pair of cotton jammie bottoms. Whoosh. But it can't be waters breaking, right? I mean, it only happens with 15% of women and NOTHING happened last time with DD. But I keep feeling the need to go to the bathroom and just, well, hang out there. And my rectum is feeling really pressured. It's 11 pm on a Saturday night and DH has the steam vac rented for tomorrow...also my shower is tomorrow...tomorrow/ tonight is NOT good timing!

The other doc I met yesterday told me to call if my waters broke and that she doesn't do "anything" for 6 hours, but that seems really fast. I don't want to go to the hospital now and hang out for 6 hours! Whatever came out is clear, no merconium or anything. Huh. Just wait until morning?

I should know more this being my second!

I'm either 37.5 weeks or 38 weeks depending who you ask.

Acid indegestion is back. I'm ALREADY exhausted. Was up every hour last night and fell asleep while making the bed this morning....fell almost asleep when I came home from bday party today.

I feel really "open".

If nothing happens tonight I am going to feel so lame. And now I have DH all riled up. Damn.

Can any of you mommas share what breaking waters felt like?

OK, I'm going to try and go to sleep now. I'll either be MIA tomorrow or um...really embarrassed.

[NordicMamma]

It could be your waters breaking - or rather, you've probably sprung a leak.

I started leaking amniotic fluid during labour with ds last time long before I gushed (twice). But by the time I started leaking I was already having contractions - in fact I would leak a little immediately after each contraction, just enough to soak a pad. I didn't go into L&D because it was the middle of the night and I was already in labour, so I figured I didn't need to go. The MW later said I should have gone to be 'checked out' - but I am glad I didn't.

Sorry, I'm rambling...

I would be tempted to give L&D a call.

[lilgsmommy]

Passing by and saw your post!!

With my DS my water broke at a little after 9 at night, at first it leaked slowly but then started coming out in gushy spurts. I had rectum pressure, and the contractions started soon after!

It was pinkish at first then became more clear.

And it smelled sorta sweet, unlike the smell of urine.

Keep us updated!

[dynamicdoula]

If you can't control it, it's probably your waters. Try laying down for 20 minutes, and if more fluid gushes out when you stand (having pooled in your vagina while you were lying down), there is a VERY good chance it's your waters.

Amniotic fluid is clear, might be a bit pinkish, slick feeling, and does not smell like urine.

Update, update!

[BinahYeteirah]

bs"d

Sounds like a leak, but I have no presonal experience.

I will repeat the urge to "Update, update".


ETA: I would wait until morning, at least, before going to L&D. Especially if you know you will then "be on the clock" and have to have the baby or be in active labor by some arbitrary number of hours later. Usually, they give 24 hours or so. I would say the water broke later so they don't get too excited myself.

[NordicMamma]

Any update for us, Pom?

::Nordic gnaws her knuckles in anticipation::

[NordicMamma]

Originally Posted by BinahYeteirah

ETA: I would wait until morning, at least, before going to L&D. Especially if you know you will then "be on the clock" and have to have the baby or be in active labor by some arbitrary number of hours later. Usually, they give 24 hours or so. I would say the water broke later so they don't get too excited myself.

Yeah, they 'allow' you to go 24 hours here as well. As long as the fluid is clear (no meconium) I wouldn't worry too much about exact timing either. In fact, you are probably better off without people sticking their fingers up there introducing bacteria.

I would stay away from baths, though, and just stick to showers.

I hope this is it for you, Pom!

[Pom]

Hi everyone -- thanks for responding!

If the waters breaking is enough to soak a pad, then I probably did just spring "a leak" as suggested....it was kinda sweet smelling, clear. Anyway. Nothing more leaked over night, although I did feel some contractions (a couple woke me up), and I did organize my bags just in case.

I don't want to call L&D or the OB yet. I've got my shower at noon! Seriously, though, I think I'll wait until early evening -- or if something else develops while I'm up and moving about. I really don't want pitocin again this time!

The leaking happened both times, by the way, when I was sitting on the couch. I read last night that more should happen when you're lying down, so maybe it was just the babe kicking some stuff out? I've had small gushes before throughout the pg, just never this much.

This morning after morning bathroom visit, I noticed a very light pinkish tint to the stuff, so maybe I'm just dilating.

Anyway, thanks all --- I don't know why I find this aspect of early labour so BAFFLING!!!

[JeanetteL]

Very possible to have "sprung a leak", it may have been a high leak, and the head can come down and seal the cervix so nothing else escapes. I think if you want to avoid intervention your best bet is to wait it out, follow basic principles of good hygiene and see how it plays out - but my best advice is to just follow your gut - and keep us updated on a regular (is half hourly too much to ask) basis.

Jeanette

PS: Kristina: Whatcha doing hanging out here - are you stalking me?

[dynamicdoula]

Should I be? :LOL

[JeanetteL]

Not much reason to follow me around, my baby seems VERY content to stay inside for quite some time - no activity here at all

[mmgarda]

What's happening?????

Any recent word from Pom??

Sounds like waters breaking to me, but then mine never did and had to be "poked" right before DS fully crowned, so I wouldn't know.

Is the baby here????

[Pom]

Yes, baby here! But that was not waters breaking, afterall...will post birth story as soon as I get a chance...babe born 7/10 at 9:46 pm.

[pellifoli]

congrats Pom!
hope all's well.