So yesterday I was leaking what I am 99% sure was amniotic fluid for about four hours. Some mild contractions during the day but nothing substantial or regular. So I called the dr's office and spoke with the nurse. Doc was not in but she wanted me to go to the hospital for a "fern" test. The hospital is about 30min away and going at that moment was not an option. I told her I would wait to see what happened. So the leak stopped and I went on with my day as planned.
A little history; I leaked with my DS off and on, fern test after fern test came back neg. but a quick scan at 41w showed no fluid. Water completely ruptured w/DD1 and two fern tests later they were ready to send me home when my OB did a quick scan and no fluid. Also, I've been feeling a little leaky with this one for a while now, but yesterday was the wettest of it and I've been measuring small 36w at my 37 and 38w appointments even though doc says babe isn't super low. And I don't measure small, I have always measured ahead with my other pregnancies by 1or2 weeks.
So...WWYD? I of course have no faith in the fern test, I don't want to be induced, but I also want to be sure babe has enough fluid to be safe. Please advise me. Thanks.
A little history; I leaked with my DS off and on, fern test after fern test came back neg. but a quick scan at 41w showed no fluid. Water completely ruptured w/DD1 and two fern tests later they were ready to send me home when my OB did a quick scan and no fluid. Also, I've been feeling a little leaky with this one for a while now, but yesterday was the wettest of it and I've been measuring small 36w at my 37 and 38w appointments even though doc says babe isn't super low. And I don't measure small, I have always measured ahead with my other pregnancies by 1or2 weeks.
So...WWYD? I of course have no faith in the fern test, I don't want to be induced, but I also want to be sure babe has enough fluid to be safe. Please advise me. Thanks.
Thank you mamas for your quick responses. My biggest concern is that I'll go to the hospital, wait...wait...wait... they'll stick a speculum in me, swipe, look under the microscope and send me home. Time wasted, invasive procedure, and still nothing learned as far as I'm concerned. Ferning is where they take a swab, look at it under a microscope, and if it looks fernish, your amniotic fluid is leaking, if it doesn't look fernish they assume your not leaking, but for me personally this just doesn't seem to work. I think I know the papers you mean autumn_faune, they turn colors if your leaky right? But no, I don't have any. I too have been drinking large amounts of water the last few days, its like there isn't enough water on the planet to satisfy my thirst! (but no GD or anything) I've also been eating lots of oranges because I read Vit.C is supposed to strengthen the membranes. (did someone tell autumn-faune that, I think thats where I read it?) I just wish these contractions would pick-up and get regular so I could stop worrying. Thanks again mamas.
: The fern came back negative (of course) my cervix was unchanged. So then based on my history, they were very nice and did a quick u/s scan to check her fluid levels. Fluid looked good so they sent me home.
: But I have to say that everyone after the first nurse was extremely nice. No one spoke to me or treated me like I was crazy, the doc even said that if I had any more leaking to come back in. This just isn't the attitude I'm used to. Usually it's if our technology says your wrong, then your wrong, a woman know her own body, preposterous! Thanks again for your input and inquiry mamas.
I'm glad people are listening. I really like my ob - at my last appt I said it just didn't feel imminent and that it would be awhile. His reply? I've learned to trust women's instincts. Yay doc.
: Hey, but I did manage to go for a walk yesterday (to get subs, at the pizza place, dang that salami thread). So here is the energy fairy, I promised to send her.
