Help! Dr. want me to come in NOW b/c of leaking fluid

[MamaDee4]

O.K......so I think I may have started leaking fluid. I felt something weird when I was laying down so got up to go to the bathroom. I peed and then felt this weird pressure or contraction type feeling. I thought I'd check my cervix (which was still a fingertip and way posterior) and more liquid started coming out. It didn't feel like pee exactly so I grabbed a cup and caught some. It is straw colored and does not smell like pee--more sweet. I have about half a baby food jar full. I assumed it was my water and got all happy b/c labor should start soon.

I then called my Dr. to check if they thought that's what it was. They told me to go to L & D right away. Huh? Now? I thought I had like 12 hours to go into labor on my own. I know if I go there, they'll keep me and put me on pit since I'm not dilated at all and not having contractions. I do NOT want that.

I called hubby to come home early and I thought I'd do a fetal kick count. So after 15 minutes I didn't feel anything and slightly freaked. I calmed down, drank a big jug of gaterade and now the baby is moving around.

So.......what would you do? How long to wait for CX to start? I don't want to be stupid about it, but I do not want to rush in to be put on pit 15 min. after I leaked some fluid. I'm due today, BTW.

Any advice?

Dee

[Lorette]

I thought amniotic fluid was clear and has no smell?
You can always go to get checked out and refuse to stay/get pit.

[veganf]

I'd stay put for at least 24 hours, walk, rest, etc. But monitor your temp to make sure you don't start running a fever, and keep doing the kick counts. Go in if you feel you need to, but otherwise lay low for a bit. At least that's what I'd do.

[huskermommy]

I would def stay home... At least for now. My sister and I both had the outter bag of waters break but not the "baby" bag so to speak and we were both induced. It's not something you want! Trust me!

I agree, check your temp and see how it goes. AND, who knows! Maybe it is pee!! (Though for your sake I'm hoping its not and contractions start a'coming!) :

[Ligeia]

Put some of the fluid on a sheet of glass or clear plastic and let it dry. If it is amniotic fluid, it makes cool little snow flake patterns. If it's not, it'll just dry like any other liquid. I second just staying put around your house. You don't want to stress yourself out by going in to early. When my water started leaking last time, I rested at first for about an hour since I knew I was close and then walked around a lot out in my neighborhood to see if I could get contractions going, which it did.
Good luck momma!

[MamaDee4]

Put some of the fluid on a sheet of glass or clear plastic and let it dry. If it is amniotic fluid, it makes cool little snow flake patterns. If it's not, it'll just dry like any other liquid.>>>

Oh, thanks, I'll try that. I have a microscope.

I also had some litmus paper from my son's science kit. I had the "fluid" sample and I took a urine sample also. Neither liquid reacted on the litmus paper. I'm wondering now if it's not urine. Hubby came home and smelled it (nice!) and said it smelled like pee.

It's entirely possible that I had a CX while peeing or the baby moved down suddenly and pushed on my bladder--forcing out a gush of urine.

But I also didn't want to be dumb about it. I thought I might hold out till morning--which would be 15 hours. I haven't noticed any more leaking, though. Although the Dr. said I might not--even if it was in fact water.

Guess I'll try the microscope.......

Dee

[julesinottawa]

I think amniotic fluid is supposed to be absolutely clear, maybe tinged slightly pink if there is a bit of blood. My water broke with my first and it was truly like looking at water and there was no smell at all. If it is your water, a tinge of colour (other than pink) could mean meconium so I hate to be the voice of dissent but I'd get it checked (unless you end up reasonably sure that it's pee).

[veronicalynne]

Originally Posted by veganf

I'd stay put for at least 24 hours, walk, rest, etc. But monitor your temp to make sure you don't start running a fever, and keep doing the kick counts. Go in if you feel you need to, but otherwise lay low for a bit. At least that's what I'd do.

: I would also keep an eye and "nose" on the fluid.....if any unusual smell develops etc go in but otherwise wait to go in at least 12 hours...no baths and no internal and no sex. My friends water broke (just amni. fluid no meconium) and she went in right away. They waited 5 hours and then induced her and she had a c/s. I have another friend who water broke and the contractions started approx. 10 hours later. She waited and then went in and had natural birth. They are too quick to induce when your water breaks.....If there is any sign of infection or meconium that is a different story. Keep us posted ok?

[kamesennin]

I'd stay home! This happened to me and I didn't go into the hospital until 12 hours later--had my dd 3 hours after I checked in to the hospital. I hope things pick up for you!

[prairieo]

I'm with the stay put crowd for sure. I would tell my doc that I was just confused and it was pee. I would never want to be on that clock. And I'm with the monitorning of your temp and seeing what happens.

[logies-mom]

I'm with the stay at home crowd also... but I would DEFINITELY keep an eye on the color (if more comes out) and the smell... and also keep a close eye on your temp, how your feeling, etc. Good luck!!!

[~Megan~]

I'd just wait. Sometimes you will leak out a bit and then it will close up again. If after 12 hours or so you've not had contractions then perhaps some nipple stimulation wouldn't be a bad idea.

[sunnymw]

I'm in the stay-home crowd. Even litmus paper is good at false positives, as supposedly semen, soap, and infection all make it turn the right color

With DS1 my water really REALLY broke, I waited 8 hours, then went in and lied saying it had just broken. I had an induction from hell (started pit 3 hrs after arriving, and abx as soon as the paper changed colors). I went in way, way, way too soon and I'm still beating myself up over it.

[sunnymw]

http://gentlebirth.org/archives/prom.html

[BreezyMom]

I also vote "stay home" if there are no other signs of trouble. I had a slow leak of fluid with my daughter and thankfully I went to bed, tried to sleep and didn't go into the hospital until the morning. My contractions didn't really start until about 8 hours later. I'm 99% sure that if I had gone in when I first noticed fluid that I would have been pressured to induce before my contractions started 8 hours later. It sounds like your Dr. is very eager. I also agree with the other moms to not to check yourself (dialation) or anything so as not to increase the risk of infection.

Good luck!

[prairieo]

sunnymw, I looked at the link you put up, and I have to say, with only one article for each subject, I am less than impressed, especially with the information that's on it. I try to look at at least three reputable articles or studies before even attempting to make a decision. Just thougth I would put in my 2 cents. thanks for the link, though.

[Spark]

First and foremost I say tune inward and listen to your intuition. If you feel that you need to get to the hospital, then go.

For me, I would stay home as long as possible. Perhaps ask if you can bring the jar of liquid into the Dr's office tomorrow to be tested since you caught some if you feel the urge.

This is my ROM history:
1st - Water broke, active labor started within an hour.
2nd - Water broke, active labor started 48 hours later.
3rd - Water broke at 31 weeks. Resealed, refilled (with immediate & detailed Midwifery protocol). Then, water broke again at almost 42 weeks, labor began immediately & she was born 1 hour, 40 minutes later.

If you do actually think that it was ROM, then make sure you take the following precautions to decrease chance of infection (which btw is MUCH lower if you stay home than if you go to the hospital or Drs office):
- Don't put anything into the vagina (your fingers, his penis, care provider's gloved hand, speculum, U/S device, etc)
- Avoid soaking in water (bath tub, jacuzzi, hot tub, swimming pool) Showers are fine.
- Vitamin C (ward off infection)
- Probiotics (keep healthy bacteria in good supply)
- Change underwear often to keep a clean environment
- Use a clean towel after each shower

[Amila]

3 days before my due date with DD I started leaking meconium stained fluid (light staining) around 7 am. I ended up going to the hospital around 10 pm that night with no signs of labor. By 7 am the next morning (24 hours) I was induced because of the risk of "infection." Looking back I want to kick myself!

My new midwife says that you can go WEEKS with a broken bag of waters and as long as nobody sticks anything up your vagina there is very little risk of infection. She does do temperature checks and CBC to check white blood cells as a precaution.

So I would NOT go to the hospital. If it is your water it simply isn't an issue unless you don't feel movement or something.

GL!

[MamaDee4]

Thank you everyone for your help. I feel much better. BTW, it wasn't MY Dr., thank goodness, but a sub. Anyway........no more leaking. And the fern test showed both samples to be the same--no ferning--nothing.

So, I will take a sample in tomorrow afternoon at my appt. (or have the Dr. swab me or whatever they do) just to be sure. That's within the 24 hours that my friend's midwife would wait to do anything. The Dr. wanted the baby BORN within 24 hours. : (

And I know all the safety stuff--which is killing me b/c I want to check my cervix! Anyway.....I feel fine about my decision.

I'll just make sure tomorrow at the Dr.'s--assuming I don't go into labor tonight, that is. ; )

Dee

[sunnymw]

Originally Posted by prairieo

sunnymw, I looked at the link you put up, and I have to say, with only one article for each subject, I am less than impressed, especially with the information that's on it. I try to look at at least three reputable articles or studies before even attempting to make a decision. Just thougth I would put in my 2 cents. thanks for the link, though.

I just like it because it's almost like they debate some subjects, so you can think for yourself. I don't think there's any great articles on PROM out there, at least none that I have found Then again, my self-care is based largely on instinct/intuition and less, for some subjects, on actual research/statistics


Dee, glad to hear things are fine