It can sometimes be tricky if you’ve leaked amniotic fluid or urine. Amniotic fluid is clear and white-flecked, with no odor. It will typically soak through underwear. Urine is yellow and odorous.

Amniotic fluid is the warm, fluid cushion that protects and supports your baby as they grow in the womb. This important fluid contains:

  • hormones
  • immune system cells
  • nutrients
  • hormones
  • your baby’s urine

At its highest level, the amniotic fluid in your belly is around 1 quart. After 36 weeks of pregnancy, your fluid levels start to decrease as your body prepares for your baby’s delivery.

When your doctor performs ultrasounds prior to delivery, they’ll estimate the amount of amniotic fluid your baby is surrounded by.

When amniotic fluid starts to leak, it’s usually a sign of labor. However, it can sometimes be a sign of premature rupture of membranes (PROM).

Sometimes it can be tough to tell if the fluid you are leaking is amniotic fluid or not.

The amount of amniotic fluid cushioning your baby tends to increase as your pregnancy progresses, reaching its highest point at about 36 weeks.

Fluid levels throughout your pregnancy could be around:

  • 60 milliliters (mL) at 12 weeks gestation
  • 175 mL at 16 weeks gestation
  • 400 to 1,200 mL between 34 and 38 weeks gestation

Your doctor can measure your amniotic fluid levels using an ultrasound.

There are two calculations for measuring:

Doctors consider your fluid levels to be low if your AFI is less than 5 centimeters (cm) or your MPV is less than 2 cm.

Low amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios) is not always due to leakage/rupture and can result from other factors, such as a lack of fluid production.

Think of your amniotic sac like a water balloon. While it’s possible to break the water balloon, causing a strong gush of fluid, it’s also possible that a small hole could develop in the sac. This can result in a slow leak of amniotic fluid.

When you’re pregnant, you may already feel like everything leaks: Your bladder becomes fuller faster, and you may leak urine. Your vaginal tissues also may produce extra fluid to help your baby pass more easily. So it can be difficult to determine if fluid is urine, amniotic fluid, or vaginal fluid.

Typically, urine will have an odor. Vaginal fluid is usually white or yellow in color.

Amniotic fluid may have a few of the following qualities:

  • clear, white-flecked, and/or tinged with mucus or blood
  • no odor
  • often saturates your underwear

Another way you can try to determine if the fluid is amniotic fluid is:

  1. First, empty your bladder.
  2. Place a sanitary pad or panty liner in your underwear.
  3. Examine the fluid on it after 30 minutes to an hour.

If the fluid is yellow in color, it’s likely urine. If it isn’t, it could be amniotic fluid.

Another option is to put on a pad or panty liner and concentrate on holding your pelvic floor muscles tight, as if you are trying to stop your urine stream. If you do this and don’t see any fluid on the pad, the fluid you are seeing is probably urine.

If you’re not sure if you’re leaking amniotic fluid, contact your medical team. They can carry out tests to confirm.

Leaking amniotic fluid may be dangerous for you and your baby if it happens too early in pregnancy. If you are at term, it can also be a problem if you do not start labor after rupture.

Leaking amniotic fluid during the first and/or second trimesters can cause complications, including:

  • birth defects
  • miscarriage
  • premature birth
  • stillbirth

During the third trimester, low levels of amniotic fluid can cause:

  • difficulties during labor, such as squeezing the umbilical cord, which can affect a baby’s ability to get oxygen
  • increased risk for cesarean delivery
  • slowed growth

Call your doctor immediately if you’re leaking fluid that appears green-tinged or brownish-yellow. This can indicate your baby has had a bowel movement in the womb, which can cause breathing complications when they are born.

Call your doctor if you think your membranes may have ruptured, also known as your “water breaking.” Also, note the color of the discharge to tell your doctor. They’ll likely advise you to head to the hospital.

An estimated one-third of amniotic fluid is replaced every hour. This means your baby won’t be “dry” even if you’re leaking amniotic fluid.

But it’s possible that ruptured membranes could mean your delivery is imminent and/or that bacteria could be introduced into your uterus.

For this reason, it’s important to seek treatment if you think you could be leaking amniotic fluid.

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