Would I know if my water broke?

[junipermuse]

In the last day or so, I have been having much more discharge than before and it is very thin and watery. No big gushes but my underwear feels pretty damp (sorry if this is TMI). I'm pretty sure I would know if my water broke, but is it possible to have sprung a small leak and not really know? My Due Date is the 25th of January, still a week and half away. I'm really nervous about waiting too long to call the doctor if my amniotic sack is leaking, but also I don't want to get all worked up if it's just normal discharge. I have a doctor's appt tomorrow afternoon, should I just wait until then, or do I need to call the doctor right away? What signs should I look for to tell if it's normal discharge vs. amniotic fluid? Please Help.

[DoomaYula]

It's possible to have a slow leak. I went to the birth center once because I was certain my water had broken, but it turned out I'd just peed my pants

If there is no foul-smelling odor or visible meconium (greenish, green tint, green tinge) and the baby is still moving fine, then I'd wait til your appointment tomorrow. However if it's concerning you, you can call tonight. It's about your level of comfort.

[pookel]

When mine broke, it felt exactly like peeing. I was only pretty sure it was my water breaking because there was so much of it.

[velveeta]

It can definitely vary. I am due the same day as you! With DS, I *knew* it. It was all over the place and totally unmistakable. I do think, though, that you are experiencing normal discharge. I also have lots of stuff -- more and more every day. Yesterday, I thought I had a leak because there was a lot of fluid and I didn't feel myself pee pee. YES, it was pee pee!

[chiro_kristin]

I agree that you are probably actually leaking a little amniotic fluid, or a little pee. Waters breaking is a huge gush. Luckily I was in my kitchen (as opposed to on the carpet) when it happened to me, and I needed three big towels to clean it up.

[hapersmion]

When my water broke, it was just a trickle, actually. I never had a big gush through my whole labor. I wasn't entirely sure that it was my water breaking until I got up and checked in the bathroom, by holding some dry toilet paper up to myself to see where the liquid was coming from. Sorry TMI! I could tell it was different from discharge (though I had had a lot of that before) because it was so watery. But I started having contractions a few minutes later, so that helped me to be sure as well.

hapersmion

[Marvelleaux]

Ok, I haven't given birth yet but have read a few things about this and was wondering what you guys think:

1.) aminiotic fluid smells sweetish (if no meconium present)
2.) it is possible to have a long-term slow leak, especially if the bag of waters ruptures higher up instead of down low.

Any experience with either of these two statements?

[laohaire]

My waters smelled a bit like semen. So for me, the smell would be the litmus test (I understand women think it smells either like semen or something else, I forgot which).

[True Blue]

Yeah, I was going to say, as my midwife's assistant put it, amniotic fluid "smells like sex".

[Marvelleaux]

Originally Posted by laohaire

My waters smelled a bit like semen...

Oh! Well that wouldn't fall into the "smells sweetish" category!

[2sweetboysmom]

I personally thought amniotic fluid smelled like fresh clean straw (Not like the barn the straw is in )

[Spark]

I think this is a really good source.
http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/prom.html

[junipermuse]

Originally Posted by Spark

I think this is a really good source.
http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/prom.html

Wow, the info on this website is great, thanks. I only wish I had seen it a couple days ago. As it is I went to the Dr's yesterday and he said everything was fine. There's no leak, just a lot of mucus, like there should be. Also a week ago I had gained 8 lbs (in a week) and my blood pressure was really high, but yesterday I had lost 7lbs and my bloodpressure was back down to normal, so I'm feeling really good. Thank you everyone who responded, it was all very comforting for a worried Mama-to-be.