3 Sets Amniotic Fluid Test Strip Maternity Home High Sensitivity Feminine PH Test Strips for Women

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If you are experiencing an amniotic fluid leak, it’s possible you have a condition called PROM or premature rupture of membranes. PROM can occur after 37 weeks gestation when you’re considered full term. Should you experience a leak prior to 37 weeks gestation, you may have a condition known as PPROM or preterm premature rupture of membranes. If you experience preterm labor, shortness of breath or abdominal pain, you may need treatment — potentially in the hospital. Treatment may include:

Meet a neonatologist and have a look around the neonatal care unit in case your baby arrives early and needs extra care.While waiting for medical attention, a woman should not use tampons, have sex, or do anything else that might introduce bacteria into the vagina. Your doctor will likely perform a physical exam and run some tests, including an ultrasound exam. He or she may also ask you a number of questions, such as:

Amniotic fluid is odorless and clear, though sometimes it's tinged with blood or mucus. If amniotic fluid is infected, it may have a foul smell. 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. Guided by ultrasound, your health care provider will insert a thin, hollow needle through your stomach wall and into the uterus. A small amount of amniotic fluid is drawn into a syringe. The needle is then removed. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.When the waters break, the amniotic sac tears. The amniotic fluid contained within the sac then begins to leak out via the cervix and vagina. There is a higher chance of labor complications, due to the risk of umbilical cord compression. Amnioinfusion may be needed during labor. In some cases, a cesarian delivery may be necessary. Polyhydramnios

Think of your amniotic sac like a water balloon. While it’s possible to break the water balloon, causing a strong gush of fluid (known as your water breaking), it’s also possible that a small hole could develop in the sac. This can result in a slow leak of amniotic fluid. Sometimes, waters break before any other signs of labour, including contractions. This happens for about one woman in 10 at term (NCCWCH 2008, NHS Digital 2018).Another serious complication is umbilical cord compression. Without amniotic fluid, the umbilical cord is vulnerable to damage. The umbilical cord delivers oxygen and nutrients to the baby and is normally protected by the amniotic fluid. If the fluid leaks out, the umbilical cord may get compressed between the baby and the uterus or in some cases, fall out of the uterus into the vagina. This can lead to serious brain injuries and even death. Tests that measure the levels of chemicals known to exist in the amniotic fluid but not in vaginal fluid. These include prolactin, alpha-fetoprotein, glucose, and diamine oxidase. High levels of these substances mean that the membranes have broken. 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. Lim ES, Rodriguez C, Holtz LR. Amniotic fluid from healthy term pregnancies does not harbor a detectable microbial community. Microbiome. 2018;6. doi:10.1186/s40168-018-0475-7