Labor?

[Bre89]

Im 37 weeks pregnant and 4 days ago I had my doctors appointment and she told me that I was 70% effaced and 1-2 cm. dialted and that my mucus plug was gone. After that appointment I have noticed weird symptoms. I am nausous all the time and I just dont feel well. Last night me and my fiance' had sex and afterward I noticed a white liquid running down my leg. Im not sure if it could be my water that broke or just a result from having sex. Could it possibly be my water that broke? I also have been having contractions but they arent too bad yet. I noticed this morning that I also had a yellowish brownish discharge too. Does this all mean that I could be in labor?

[redrosesrsweet]

I had a friend who had a little bit of her water coming out at a time, she was 1-2 cm then she asked her doctor if she should go to the hospital and she did, then she was waiting for her contractions to get worse (actually start to feel them) and once that happened the rest of the water broke. So I recommend calling your doctor or just go to the hospital if you feel more sure about going there.

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!  Congratulations in advance on your big day!  Is this your first?  I have lots of patients come in with your very same question, and there is an easy way to find out--it is called the fern test and the nitrazine test.  These two tests done by your doctor or midwife can distinguish amniotic fluid ( your "water") from other fluids.  It never hurts to get this checked--lots and lots of people do --many more than once!
One other thing to know about your water is that once it breaks, it usually keeps on coming--like a very heavy and very watery discharge.  If the fluid stops leaking, it is probably not your water--but I always like my patients to get checked just in case.

Good Luck!

Dr B