What Does It Mean When You Leak Clear Fluid & What Is Incontinence A Symptom Of?

Amniotic fluid plays a vital role in labor and delivery. Amniotic fluid is a clear, yellow fluid that surrounds your baby in your uterus. There are many functions of amniotic fluid. The primary responsibility of the clear fluid is protecting the fetus by cushioning against blows to the mother’s abdomen during pregnancy.

This fluid contains increased amounts of hormones, immune system cells, nutrients, and your baby’s urine. It helps baby maintain a steady temperature, offers protection and help develop the baby’s lungs and digestive system that enable the fetus to breathe and swallow.

Leaking clear fluid might feel like a gush of warm fluid breaking from the vagina. It is usually a colorless clear fluid however in some instances, it may contain few traces of blood and mucus.

During pregnancy, the uterus usually sits on the bladder so urinary incontinence is a typical symptom for pregnant mothers. Amniotic fluid is odorless however when the leakage smell like urine then probably it is. Pregnant women also experience vaginal discharge, this discharge appears milky with a mild smell.

When you are pregnant, you may have a feeling that everything leaks. At most instances, you will experience overflowing bladder and have an increased risk of leaking urine. Basically, the vaginal muscles produce higher amounts of fluids either in the form of urine, amniotic fluid or vaginal discharge to enable the fetus to pass more easily. There are ways to differentiate between amniotic fluid and urine. One of the tried and test methods is to put on a pad or panty liner and hold your pelvic floor muscles tight as if you are trying to halt the urine flow. After performing this, if you no longer see any leakage then the bladder leakage is probably urine. However, if you happen to notice the leakage still, then it is amniotic fluid. Let us see some of the risk factors involved with amniotic leakage.¹

Leakage of amniotic fluid before delivery is not uncommon, apparently, when you have leakage during pregnancy, it indicates certain signs that can be dangerous for you and your baby. When you have amniotic leakage during first and second trimester it probably indicates the birth defects, risk of going into labor prematurely, you and the baby are at risk of infection.

Similarly, when you have low levels of amniotic rupture in the third trimester, you are at higher risk of cesarean delivery, the baby will have difficulties in getting oxygen or slowed growth.

Medical studies show that 8% of women have lower levels of amniotic fluid. A lower level of the clear fluid often causes complications with baby birth, placental problems, rupture of the membranes, diabetes, and preeclampsia.

Being diagnosed with increased levels of amniotic fluids is less common and nearly 1% of women are diagnosed with this condition. There are no proven theories to determine the underlying causes of increased levels. However, when the individual has higher levels of clear fluid, it leads to maternal complications, stillbirth, premature birth, and a few others.

Factors that lead to incontinence before 37th week of pregnancy include

• Urinary tract infections
• Pregnancy
• Childbirth
• Menopause
• Weak bladder muscles
• Overactive bladder muscles^{2. 3}

Incontinence often restricts your physical activities and lead to withdrawing from social interaction. Therefore, to lead a normal and healthy lifestyle you require medical attention. In some instances, incontinence becomes a leading factor for serious medical conditions like kidney related problems. Therefore, to avoid further complications, make an appointment with your primary health care provider immediately.⁴

References:  

Also Read:

• Amniotic Fluid Leak: Causes, Signs, Treatment
• How Can I Increase My Amniotic Fluid Level?