How to distinguish between amniotic fluid and urine

Amniotic fluid is a soft environment for the fetus to live in the uterine cavity. It can play a very good protective role in preventing accidental injuries to the fetus. In the late stage of pregnancy when delivery is about to begin, the amniotic fluid will break. Amniotic fluid and urine are completely different. For example, amniotic fluid is a transparent, colorless and odorless liquid, while urine, as we all know, has a certain odor. The difference between them is quite obvious.

How to distinguish between amniotic fluid and urine

If a pregnant woman's water breaks before the onset of labor pains, it is called premature rupture of membranes. Because both water and urine will have symptoms of watery discharge, it is very important but also very difficult for pregnant women to distinguish between water and urine. Of course, there is a difference between water rupture and urine. If it is urine that flows out, the amount of water that flows out is relatively small, and no water will flow out after the pregnant woman intentionally controls it. However, water rupture is different. Although there are symptoms of water discharge, and the amount is relatively large, pregnant women cannot control it even when they intentionally control it, and water still flows out. This is the phenomenon of water rupture.

Because after the amniotic fluid breaks, the bacteria in the vagina of the pregnant woman can move upward and infect the fetus in the uterus. Therefore, when the amniotic fluid breaks, it is necessary to be admitted to the hospital in time and diagnose the rupture of membranes and deliver the fetus as soon as possible. There are certain factors that cause premature rupture of amniotic fluid. Generally, it has a lot to do with bacterial vaginal infection. Of course, factors such as excessive amniotic fluid, cervical occlusion, fetal abnormalities and poor development of fetal membranes can also cause premature rupture of amniotic fluid.

When will the amniotic fluid break?

During labor, as the uterus continues to contract, the fetal membrane at the dilated cervical opening cannot withstand the greater pressure and ruptures, causing the amniotic fluid to flow out of the vagina. This condition is called rupture of membranes.

If your water breaks in broad daylight, uterine contractions will usually occur a few hours before the water breaks. When the amniotic fluid breaks, you will feel warm water flowing out. Most pregnant women will experience contractions shortly after the water breaks, followed by dilation of the cervix. They will give birth when it dilates to about 8 to 10 centimeters. On the contrary, at night, many women will experience amniotic fluid breaking without feeling uterine contractions.

Generally, the baby will be born immediately after the amniotic fluid breaks, but for some people, it will not be born. If it is not accompanied by abdominal pain, it will take some time. It is recommended that the pregnant mother should not stand, but lie down immediately and go to the hospital in time to avoid fetal hypoxia. If the amniotic fluid is sufficient and clear, the fetus can survive until birth. If the amniotic fluid is insufficient or turbid, it means the fetus is lacking oxygen and requires immediate surgery.

The hospital will handle your situation based on your condition, such as natural delivery with oxygen or a caesarean section.

Generally speaking, labor will occur within 24 hours after water breaking. Antibiotics will be used to prevent infection after 12 hours. If there is no uterine contraction after 24 hours, the doctor will use an injection to induce labor. The injection can be used for 3 days. If the baby is not born after 3 days, a cesarean section will be required.

If the amniotic fluid ruptures without regular uterine contractions and vaginal bleeding, that is, the fetal membrane ruptures before delivery, this condition is called premature rupture of membranes, which is a common complication in obstetrics.

When premature rupture of membranes occurs, mothers often think that they have wet their underwear with urine and do not know that it is premature rupture of membranes. However, it is very important to identify premature rupture of membranes as soon as possible to prevent bacteria from ascending through the vagina to the uterus and infecting the fetus, and to avoid complications such as umbilical cord prolapse.

If premature rupture of membranes occurs, don't panic. To prevent the fetus's umbilical cord from prolapse, you should lie down immediately and raise your buttocks. Place a clean sanitary napkin on the vulva, be careful to keep the vulva clean, and do not take a bath again.