Leaking clear fluid during pregnancy

Color, Smell, Function & Disorders

Overview

Amniotic fluid is a water-like substance that surrounds and protects a fetus (unborn baby) during pregnancy.

What is amniotic fluid?

Amniotic fluid is a water-like substance surrounding the fetus in your uterus. The fetus grows inside an amniotic sac filled with amniotic fluid during pregnancy. The amniotic sac forms around 12 days after you become pregnant. When your water breaks (a sign of labor), your amniotic sac breaks and amniotic fluid leaks from your vagina.

Amniotic fluid is more than just a liquid the fetus floats in. Amniotic fluid contains nutrients, hormones, antibodies and other fluids to help keep the fetus healthy and protected. Amniotic fluid is constantly circulating because the fetus swallows it, then urinates it out. Having too little or too much amniotic fluid could cause problems for a pregnant person or the fetus.

Function

What does amniotic fluid do?

Amniotic fluid has an important job in the uterus. It helps with fetal growth and development. Among other things, it:

Protects the fetus from infection.
Cushions the fetus's movements and helps it move.
Helps the fetus's muscles and bones develop.
Prevents the umbilical cord from getting compressed.
Helps the fetus's digestive and respiratory systems develop.
Regulates fetal body temperature.
Protects it from your movements (like a fall or sudden blow).

Why is amniotic fluid important?

Amniotic fluid is necessary for a healthy pregnancy and helps prepare the fetus baby for the outside world. It acts as a cushion to protect them from your movements. This same cushion allows them to move freely and develops their muscles and bones. The fluid prevents the umbilical cord from compressing. The umbilical cord transports oxygen and nutrients from you to the fetus and could become squished without amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid contains antibodies to help strengthen the fetal immune system. The fetus practices breathing and swallows amniotic fluid to help develop its lungs and digestive system.

How is amniotic fluid measured?

Healthcare providers measure amniotic fluid using ultrasound. They measure pockets of amniotic fluid in specific areas of the amniotic sac, then calculate the total volume of fluid.

Anatomy

What color is amniotic fluid?

Amniotic fluid is mostly clear but can be a pale yellow like the color of straw. Amniotic fluid that's tinted brown or green means the fetus has passed meconium (their first poop) in your uterus.

Meconium in amniotic fluid can cause complications if the fetus breathes it in. In severe cases, the fetus may develop meconium aspiration syndrome and need immediate treatment after birth.

What does amniotic fluid smell like?

Amniotic fluid should be odorless. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice a foul smell as it could be meconium-stained or mean there is an infection.

Is amniotic fluid sticky?

No, amniotic fluid isn't sticky. If you feel sticky vaginal discharge, it might be your mucus plug.

What creates amniotic fluid?

Amniotic fluid is mostly water for the first half of pregnancy. The fetus's pee makes up most of the amniotic fluid after about 20 weeks of pregnancy. This is because, like adults, the fetus will swallow liquid and pee it out.

How many liters of amniotic fluid is normal?

It depends on how far you are in your pregnancy. Your amniotic fluid levels peak at 34 to 36 weeks and then slowly decrease as you reach your due date (40 weeks). At its peak, there is a little less than 1 liter of fluid in the amniotic sac.

Conditions and Disorders

What are signs of leaking amniotic fluid?

Some pregnant people leak amniotic fluid during pregnancy. Amniotic fluid is clear, thin and odorless. It can have a hint of color (brown, green or yellow are most common). It's common for pregnant people to leak urine, so some people have difficulty distinguishing amniotic fluid from pee. Inspecting your underwear for smells or color can help you determine what it is. Urine has a unique smell and may be easier to control than amniotic fluid.

If you feel a strong gush of fluid from your vagina, it could be your water breaking. But there is an increase in vaginal secretions late in pregnancy, so it can be hard to tell the difference. Contact your healthcare provider if you believe your water has broken or if you're confused about what is leaking from your vagina.

What happens when you have low amniotic fluid?

Low amniotic fluid is called oligohydramnios. Low amniotic fluid affects about 4% of pregnant people. Several factors can contribute to low amniotic fluid. Some of them are:

Congenital conditions that affect your baby's kidneys or urinary tract.
Going more than two weeks past your due date.
Gestational diabetes.
Growth-restricted babies.
Early rupture of membranes.
Problems with the placenta.
Twins that share the same placenta.

What are the complications of low amniotic fluid?

Low amniotic fluid in the first six months of pregnancy is generally more dangerous. These complications could include miscarriage, physical deformities of the developing baby including lungs that don’t develop properly or premature birth.

If you're diagnosed with oligohydramnios in the last trimester (weeks 28 to 40) of pregnancy, complications could include:

Umbilical cord compression.
Fetal growth restriction.
Respiratory issues.
Increase risk of cesarean delivery.

How is low amniotic fluid treated?

It depends on how far along you are in your pregnancy. If you're close to full term (37 weeks of pregnancy), your healthcare provider may schedule an induction or monitor you more closely until delivery.

What happens if you have too much amniotic fluid?

Too much amniotic fluid is called polyhydramnios. It's a rare condition that causes symptoms like swollen feet, breathlessness or constipation.

Moderate to severe polyhydramnios could be caused by:

A congenital condition affecting the fetus's ability to swallow.
Gestational diabetes.
Carrying identical twins with transfusion syndrome (TTTS).
Problems with the fetus's stomach.
Issues with the placenta.

What are the complications of too much amniotic fluid?

If you have too much amniotic fluid in your uterus, it can put pressure on neighboring organs. This can cause pregnancy complications, especially if the condition shows itself early into the pregnancy. Other complications include:

Preterm labor or preterm birth.
The fetus is becoming too large.
Postpartum hemorrhage.
Stillbirth.

How do doctors treat high amniotic fluid?

Polyhydramnios is usually not treated unless it's necessary. Your healthcare provider may schedule additional appointments to check on the size of the fetus. In severe cases, medication can control fetal urine production while in your uterus. Your provider may also recommend early induction, bed rest, or draining a small amount of amniotic fluid.

Care

Can drinking water increase amniotic fluid?

No one is entirely sure if drinking more water can increase amniotic fluid. Some healthcare providers will recommend a pregnant person increase their water intake if their fluid is low. There's no harm in drinking more water during pregnancy but talk to your provider first to see what they recommend.

Can a baby live without amniotic fluid?

No. A fetus needs some amniotic fluid in the uterus to survive. However, the exact amount of amniotic fluid it needs depends on its gestational age and other factors.

Can a baby drink amniotic fluid?

Yes, a fetus drinks amniotic fluid in the uterus. This helps them practice swallowing and develops their digestive system.

Does a baby breathe in amniotic fluid?

The fetus baby practices breath-like movements in amniotic fluid in your uterus. This helps with fetal lung development and teaches it how to breathe outside the uterus. Fetuses begin practicing breathing amniotic fluid in the first trimester.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Amniotic fluid helps a fetus grow and protects it from injury and infection. Fetuses swallow and practice breathing amniotic fluid, then pee it out. Some pregnant people have too much or too little amniotic fluid. Your healthcare provider may monitor you more closely or perform additional ultrasounds if this happens to you. If you're concerned about your pregnancy or experience fluid leaking from your vagina, don't hesitate to talk to your provider.

Signs and what to do

Amniotic fluid is the liquid that surrounds a fetus in the womb. It has a range of functions, all of which relate to the development of the fetus.

The fetus and fluid stay in the amniotic sac, which usually breaks when a woman goes into labor. It can sometimes rupture early, which is called premature rupture of membranes (PROM).

In this article, learn about the signs that amniotic fluid is leaking, the common causes of PROM, and when to speak to a doctor.

Leaking amniotic fluid might feel like a gush of warm fluid or a slow trickle from the vagina. It will usually be clear and odorless but may sometimes contain traces of blood or mucus.

If the liquid is amniotic fluid, it is unlikely to stop leaking.

Signs that it is not amniotic fluid

The uterus sits on the bladder during pregnancy, so it is not uncommon for pregnant women to leak urine. If the discharge smells like urine, it probably is.

Women may also experience an increase in vaginal discharge during pregnancy. Normal discharge tends to have a mild smell and look milky.

Share on PinterestA person should consult a doctor if they suspect that they are leaking amniotic fluid.

If the fluid does not appear to be urine or discharge, it is best to speak to a doctor.

Women who also experience the following symptoms should seek medical attention too:

foul-smelling, brown or green discharge from the vagina
fever
the uterus feeling tender
rapid heart rate
a decrease or lack of increase in weight

While waiting for medical attention, a woman should not use tampons, have sex, or do anything else that might introduce bacteria into the vagina.

A doctor may take a sample of the fluid to determine whether it is amniotic fluid. They may also carry out tests to determine the cause of the leak.

These tests could include a vaginal exam to see if the cervix is dilating and the woman is in labor. An ultrasound can help doctors check how much fluid is surrounding the baby.

They may also perform a dye test, which involves introducing blue dye into the amniotic sac and asking the woman to wear a sanitary pad. If the dye shows up on the pad, this can indicate leaking amniotic fluid.

The amniotic sac ruptures when a woman goes into labor. People often refer to this as the water breaking.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, just one in 10 women will experience a “dramatic gush” of amniotic fluid. For most women, it is more likely to feel like a constant trickle.

Sometimes, the amniotic sac breaks or leaks before labor starts. If the amniotic sac breaks before the 37th week of pregnancy, doctors refer to it as preterm PROM.

Women who got pregnant less than 6 months after their last labor or are carrying more than one baby have a higher risk of PROM.

Other factors that can lead to PROM are:

contractions that put pressure on the amniotic sac, causing it to tear
the amniocentesis needle making a hole that takes too long to heal
cerclage, a procedure where doctors stitch the cervix closed until the baby is ready for delivery
a urinary tract infection (UTI) or sexually transmitted infection (STI)
medical conditions, such as lung disease and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
exposure to harmful substances, including tobacco, illicit drugs, and alcohol
too much or too little amniotic fluid
the placenta separating from the uterus

Share on PinterestRest may help treat the cause of a leak.

Treatment will depend on the cause of the leak, as well as the age, health, and development of the fetus.

A doctor may recommend bed rest, meaning that the woman should reduce her activities and rest for most of the day. They may also advise abstaining from sex.

If a woman has an infection, a doctor will prescribe antibiotics that are safe to take during pregnancy.

If the baby is ready to be born, doctors may choose to initiate labor using a drug called oxytocin. Alternatively, medications called tocolytics can help stop premature labor if it is too early for the birth to occur.

About 12 days into pregnancy, an amniotic sac forms around the growing fetus. Amniotic fluid fills the sac and has several purposes, including:

protecting and cushioning the fetus
keeping the fetus at a steady temperature
allowing the fetus to breathe in the fluid while the lungs grow and develop
helping the fetus’s digestive system grow and develop as they swallow the liquid
assisting the muscle and bone development of the fetus as they move around in the fluid
protecting the umbilical cord, which carries food and oxygen from the placenta to the fetus

The amniotic fluid comprises mainly water for the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. After that, it also contains nutrients, hormones, antibodies, and the baby’s urine.

The quantity of fluid in the amniotic sac tends to increase until around the 36th week of pregnancy when it starts to decrease. At its peak, there is about 1 quart of amniotic fluid inside the sac.

It is not unusual for women to experience more vaginal discharge than usual during pregnancy. Vaginal discharge will typically smell mild and appear milky. Women may also leak urine when they are pregnant.

A pregnant woman with a liquid other than urine or normal discharge coming from the vagina should visit the doctor. This is particularly true if the fluid is green, brown, or has a foul smell.

Leaking amniotic fluid will usually be clear and odorless and will continue to leak.

Pregnancy discharge | What are the discharge during pregnancy? | Blog

In the absence of menstruation, girls usually suspect that conception has occurred. However, during pregnancy, the female body may continue to secrete a secret of a different color and character. We recommend that you keep a close eye on everything that happens so as not to miss the development of adverse events. We will talk about how to recognize problem situations during pregnancy in the article.

What discharge can occur during conception

Many women note that immediately after the delay and in the later stages, the nature of the secretion changes. It can be:

With or without scent.
Depending on the color - transparent, white, cream, yellow, greenish, bloody.
By consistency - thick, liquid, cheesy.
As a symptom for assessing the state of health - threatening, safe.

During ovulation, the egg is released from the ovary, its membrane is deflated, a small amount of fluid is released - so it becomes ready for fertilization. At this time, the thick mucus that fills the cervical canal of the cervix becomes less viscous. This makes it easier for the spermatozoa to penetrate and move further into the tubes for fertilization. At this time, you may notice an abundance of clear mucous secretions.

After the fusion of the egg with the spermatozoon, movement into the uterus begins, which should end with implantation in the inner layer. During penetration, its slight detachment may occur - this causes damage to the blood vessels that abundantly penetrate the muscular layer of the uterus. You may see light brown discharge, which is common during pregnancy. The color is due to the fact that the blood has time to clot.

Sometimes the discharge is brightly colored and some women mistake it for a period that has started too early. But in this case, a short duration is characteristic, a different shade (dark or scarlet), a slight mark on the linen.

With some features of the structure of the female genital organs (for example, with a bicornuate uterus), after implantation of the embryo in one part, rejection of the endometrium may begin in the other, as usually occurs during menstruation. This rarely happens.

Characteristics of discharge in the event of a threatened miscarriage

Spontaneous abortion is the rejection of an embryo in the early stages after conception. If at the first signs of pregnancy, you notice spotting, there is a high probability that a miscarriage begins.

Also, miscarriage symptoms include:

pulling or pressing on the lower abdomen, sacrum, lower back;
the muscles of the uterus are tense.

The woman may feel cramps. This continues all the time or intermittently. From the vagina there are scarlet or brown discharge during pregnancy, which was previously confirmed. Sometimes the period may be still small, and the first signs did not have time to appear.

After 22 weeks, this phenomenon is called preterm labor. The child in this case is still weak, the organs are not sufficiently developed, and there is little chance of survival.

The following factors increase the risk of miscarriage:

various diseases;
progesterone deficiency;
nervous and physical overexertion;
pathologies in the genitals;
fetal developmental defects.

To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes an ultrasound scan. If it shows that the fetal heart rate is disturbed, the tone of the uterus is increased, its size differs from normal for this period, hospitalization will be recommended to maintain pregnancy.

What discharge during pregnancy is considered normal

This secretion does not pose a threat to health:

transparent;
whitish;
yellowish;
odor free;
mucous;
without itching, burning, redness of the genitals.

Clear fluid on underwear is a symptom of ovulation. During pregnancy, the activity of ongoing processes in the body increases, so the amount of secretion secreted may increase. However, a violation of the norm is the leakage of amniotic fluid. You can determine the problem with the help of special diagnostic tests that the doctor will prescribe if he has suspicions.

White color, small amount, homogeneous structure should also not cause concern. The increased volume of fluid in this case is associated with increased hormonal activity.

One of the variants of the norm is mucous discharge, which smells of slight sourness. If there is no pain, discomfort, there is nothing to worry about.

Yellow discharge, there are signs of pregnancy, there is no unpleasant odor - you are all right. Some women had this color before conception, only they did not pay attention. Now there are more of them, therefore more noticeable.

Sometimes a woman observes that the laundry gets wet and there is a smell of urine. This may indicate incontinence due to the constant pressure of the growing uterus. In this case, it is recommended to go to the toilet more often, change underpants twice a day.

What discharge during pregnancy is considered a sign of infection?

White discharge during pregnancy with a cheesy texture is a symptom of thrush (candidiasis). In pregnant women, it is diagnosed quite often - the reason is a change in hormonal levels. The disease is accompanied by itching, redness of the vulva, a strong sour smell. Sometimes external manifestations are not detected, then treatment is not carried out.

Infection is indicated by pain, pain, skin irritation, ulcers, smell of rot or fish, gray or green color, frothy discharge, increased nervousness, large inguinal lymph nodes. The reason may lie in sexually transmitted infections. This includes syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia and others. They are dangerous because they cause premature birth and fetal developmental defects.

What kind of discharge during pregnancy should I pay special attention to and should I consult a doctor?

The following indicates that pregnancy is at risk:

Severe pain in the perineum, bleeding, difficulty defecation, convulsions - these may be injuries to the vaginal mucosa.
Nausea, profuse vomiting, edema, headaches, cough, hypertension, bright red secretion are symptoms of hydatidiform mole (abnormal development of the embryo).
A drop in blood pressure, pallor, weakness, sweating, pulling sensations, bleeding during pregnancy against the background of a lack of growth of hCG in the blood - this is how ectopic attachment manifests itself.
Isolation of clots, sharp pain, vomiting, diarrhea may indicate a frozen fetus.

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

It is also necessary to go to the clinic if you have been physically abused, had rough sex, had an accident, fell, hit. The likelihood that the situation will be resolved successfully is much higher if you do not delay the visit, listen to the symptoms and take good care of your health.

Remember, despite the fact that pregnancy is a normal state of health of the female body, the diagnosis and treatment tactics are still different, due to the many restrictions on manipulations and medications during pregnancy. That is why diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy should take place only under the supervision of a physician. By ignoring the symptoms or self-medicating, a pregnant woman risks not only her health, but also the health of her child.

Doctors of the Leleka maternity hospital manage pregnancies of any complexity, including those aggravated by infections, pathologies, and the threat of miscarriage. Our own diagnostic laboratory allows us to accurately and in the shortest possible time to obtain the results of the tests. Thanks to constant medical supervision throughout the entire period, the chances of a successful birth are greatly increased.

Trust the life and health of your child to Leleka doctors, and we will make sure that you are satisfied.

signs, symptoms, what it looks like, how to identify and what to do at home

Amniotic fluid is the safe environment in which a child develops before birth. Of course, if the liquid begins to drain earlier than the prescribed time, this is not normal.

According to some reports, every third case of childbirth during premature pregnancy is provoked by premature rupture of the membranes and partial or complete rupture of amniotic fluid (1). At the same time, the risk of developing life-threatening complications greatly increases.

Infectious diseases are the main cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in premature rupture of membranes (2). Therefore, it is so important to know what amniotic fluid is, what it is for, and also to understand how to identify leakage and what to do in this case.

What is amniotic fluid

Amniotic fluid or otherwise amniotic fluid is a biologically active liquid medium that is inside the membranes during pregnancy. They protect the baby from infections.

According to obstetrician-gynecologist Yulia Golesheva, amniotic fluid is necessary for the normal development of the child. They play the role of a shock absorber between the baby and the wall of the uterus, protecting it from mechanical pressure from the outside.

In addition, water is a source of nutrients for the fetus, they have antibacterial properties, protect the baby from external microbes, and the umbilical cord from squeezing, help the maturation of the lungs. Thanks to the waters, the baby can move, which contributes to the normal development of the musculoskeletal system, and the amniotic fluid also maintains the temperature regime. The volume of amniotic fluid may fluctuate.

- Water does not leak out due to the fetal membranes. Both the condition of the amniotic fluid and the prognosis for pregnancy depend on their strength and integrity. The fetal membranes are hermetic, says the specialist.

What amniotic fluid leakage looks like

Much depends on the extent of the problem. If the rupture of the membranes is small or there is only a crack, the leakage of water will look like a normal discharge. The only thing that will distinguish them is the watery consistency. Amniotic fluid is similar to ordinary water, usually colorless and odorless. In some cases, there may be a specific smell, a yellowish, green or pink tint. Only a doctor can establish the cause: there may be a variant of the norm or a sign of a dangerous infection.

With a larger rupture of the membranes, the volume of secretions will increase significantly, up to the complete outflow of water. And it is already difficult to confuse with the usual discharge during pregnancy. You need to see a doctor right away.

Leakage of amniotic fluid at different periods

2nd trimester	Such a phenomenon in the middle of pregnancy is dangerous because it can lead to miscarriage (up to 22 weeks) or premature birth (from 22 weeks). In case of detection of signs, you should immediately consult a doctor. Most likely, you will need to stay in the hospital, where you will need to pass the appropriate tests to confirm the leak, and then undergo treatment.
3rd trimester	In this case, everything depends on the term. Until 34 weeks, the baby and the mother's body are not yet ready for childbirth, so it is important to do everything to save the pregnancy. After this period, there are two completely acceptable options: prolongation of pregnancy or delivery. In any case, you should not sit at home, if you find signs of leakage, immediately consult a doctor.

Important!

There is no universal solution that applies to every pregnant woman with amniotic fluid leakage. To keep the pregnancy or not, in each case is decided individually, based on tests, examination results, gestational age and other factors.

How to detect amniotic fluid leakage

Photo: @mart-production, pexels.com

It is rare for a woman to detect amniotic fluid leakage on her own. If there is any suspicion of this, home tests can be used.

“If the discharge is small, you can use home tests for amniotic fluid leakage to decide whether you need to go to the maternity hospital,” says Yulia Golesheva. - They are based on determining the change in the acidity of the pH of the vaginal environment, which becomes more alkaline due to mixing with waters. But the result may not be accurate, because. for example, a shift in pH can also be observed in bacterial vaginosis, which is not accompanied by a violation of the integrity of the membranes. More accurate and sensitive tests are based on the determination of specific proteins that are present only in the amniotic fluid, and nowhere else - microglobulin-1, and placental growth factor. Microglobulin-based tests are the most accurate, scoring above 97%.

What to do in case of amniotic fluid leakage

If you suspect something is wrong, first of all, you need to calm down and act according to a certain algorithm.

Check for signs and symptoms of amniotic fluid leakage

Signals that may indicate a pregnant woman for fluid leakage:

watery discharge that comes on suddenly,
discharge that is thinner and more abundant than before.

Learn more

To check if the amount of discharge has really increased, take a diaper and sit on it for about an hour. Normally, the diaper should not get wet through.

The second, easier and more reliable option is to test for amniotic fluid leakage.

The diaper is dry, the test is negative, which means you can exhale, you should not have been afraid.

Seek medical attention immediately

If the diaper gets wet or the test shows positive, this is definitely a reason to see a doctor, and as soon as possible. If necessary, call an ambulance. Leakage of amniotic fluid is a dangerous phenomenon that needs to be quickly eliminated.

- If you suspect a leak or outflow of water, regardless of the gestational age, you need to see a doctor - says our expert. - If the outpouring is complete, then immediately to the hospital. When the fetus is full-term, the woman is prepared for childbirth, at an earlier date antibacterial treatment and prevention of RDS (respiratory distress syndrome) of the fetus are carried out, preparing the lungs of the child. Whenever a water leak is suspected and a positive test is obtained, we prepare for an early delivery, regardless of the gestational age.

Leakage of amniotic fluid is especially dangerous at 22-34 weeks of gestation, because the birth canal is not yet ready (3). And this is a factor that causes protracted labor, the development of complications in the mother and child. At the same time, doctors note that even at such terms there is a possibility of prolonging pregnancy: with careful clinical and laboratory monitoring and antibacterial, tocolytic and hormonal therapy (3).

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