Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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 Ask Dr. Greenfield
How to Tell If Leaking Amniotic Fluid | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Greenfield,
I'm afraid I may be leaking amniotic fluid. My panties as well as my shorts have become damp. I know I have been leaking urine on occasion, but that is when I cough or sneeze, this seems to be a more consistent, very damp feeling. Should I wait to call and see if it persists or should I call right away?— Nicknjenne in Flint, Michigan | | | ANSWER |
August 17, 2001 | | | Dear Nicknjenne,
It can be hard to tell whether you broke your water, especially when you already are noticing some leaking of urine, a common situation in pregnancy. However, your practitioner can do a test in the office or the hospital to see if your water really did break, and if it is still questionable, an ultrasound can check if there is a normal amount of amniotic fluid around the baby.
It's important to figure this out quickly in order to reduce the risk of infection to the uterus and baby, and if your water breaks early in the second trimester, it can sometimes lead to newborn lung problems.
Generally we recommend calling your practitioner right away if you think you may have broken your water. There is some evidence that immediate antibiotic treatment can help prevent serious infection in the baby and may stave off preterm labor as well, if you are earlier than about 35 weeks gestation. So the best rule of thumb is: if in doubt, call.— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. |
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