the degree of fetal lung development, to determine if the baby’s lungs are mature enough to operate outside the womb Your health care provider will proceed to deliver your baby. Labor might occur by itself (spontaneously) or your health care provider may induce labor using certain medications. While vaginal discharge is more or less viscous, urine has a particular smell and color that makes it easily distinguishable. The pad contains a test strip that acquires a different color depending on the origin of the fluid. If it turns yellow, it's a case of urine leakage. On the contrary, it would mean that you are leaking amniotic fluid if it turned blue or green. How do you know if your water has broken or is leaking?

When your waters break, the fluid-filled amniotic sac, which protects and cushions your baby in your womb (uterus), tears. The amniotic fluid then leaks out via your cervix and vagina (NHS 2018a). Having positive results from a prenatal screening test. If the results of a screening test — such as the first-trimester screen or prenatal cell-free DNA screening — show high risk or are worrisome, amniocentesis might confirm or rule out a diagnosis.NHS. 2016. Choices when pregnancy reaches 41 weeks. NHS, National Institute for Health Research. www.nhs.uk Opens a new window [Accessed September 2019] NHS. 2018a. What is the amniotic sac? NHS, Common health questions, pregnancy. www.nhs.uk Opens a new window [Accessed September 2019] If you're diagnosed with polyhydramnios, your health care provider will closely monitor your pregnancy. Monitoring may include the following: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/expert-answers/low-amniotic-fluid/faq-20057964 RCOG. 2017. Information for you: group B streptococcus (GBS) in pregnancy and newborn babies. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. www.rcog.org.uk Opens a new window [Accessed September 2019]

After treatment, your doctor will still want to monitor your amniotic fluid level approximately every one to three weeks. This test, however, can produce false positives. If blood gets in the sample or if there is an infection present, the pH of the vaginal fluid may be higher than normal. Semen also has a higher pH, so recent vaginal intercourse can produce a false reading.

Preparing for your appointment

The development of amniotic fluid organizes into early gestation and late gestation. Early gestationis the embryonic period which is from the start of fertilization to 8 weeks, and late gestation, whichencompasses the fetal period 8 weeks to birth. The composition of amniotic fluid changes from early gestation to late gestation. During the embryonic period, amniotic fluid derives from both fetal and maternal factorssuch as water from maternal serum, coelomic fluid, and fluid from the amniotic cavity; however, during late gestation, amniotic fluid is largely produced by fetal urine and lung secretions. [3] [4] You might be able to tell by examining and smelling the liquid, though it can be difficult to tell the difference between amniotic fluid and urine. They have different smells: Urine smells like ammonia, while amniotic fluid typically smells mild and even sweet. Amniotic fluid can look a bit yellow, and very dilute urine can look clear, so you may not be able to distinguish by color. pH test. This tests the acid level of the fluid. Amniotic fluid has a higher pH than normal vaginal fluids. Polyhydramnios is present when the AFI is more than 24 centimeters (cm) and the MVP measures more than 8cm.

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. We don't know exactly what the trigger is, but your waters breaking is usually a sign that you are ready to go into labour, or are in early labour (Scorza 2018, Lowth 2017). Having an earlier pregnancy affected by a genetic condition. A health care provider might suggest amniocentesis to look for that condition. The sample of amniotic fluid will be looked at in a lab. Some results might be available within a few days. Other results might take several weeks.

Risks

Early contractions: Having uterine contractions before your due date (high risk of preterm birth) can lead to an early leaking of amniotic fluid.