I woke up this morning, went pee, took a shower, put on some clothes, ate breakfast and then when I sat down I noticed my shorts were damp around the crotch area. Not just a spot.. they were really damp. I have no clue how to tell if this is my water leaking or what? My stomach is tightening up a little bit but it just feels like braxton hicks. I'm 33 1/2 weeks pregnant. Does anyone know what color amniotic fluid is? Or what it smells like? Thanks.

When your water breaks, you might notice anything from a slight dampness or small trickle of water, to a gush of fluid from your vagina. The fluid should be clear and non-odorous. If you suspect your water has broken, call your doctor and report the color, odor, quantity of fluid, and time of the break.

Amniotic fluid should be clear and odorless. This could be just some urine leaking, typically there will be a gush of fluid when your water breaks.

But to be on the safe side you should turn your computer off and get right into the doctor.

I agree. You are getting close to the end of your pregnancy, so it can happen. I never had the Gush, it was always a trickle. I would immediately get to my doctor. Amniotic fluid will be clear, and may have some white whispy disharge in it (looks like fine hair) also it may smell sweet, but is often times odorless.

If it is darker, say the color or beer or even darker than that, it signifies meconium stained fluid as is a very serious situation. Please contact your doctor.

I would like to add that amniotic fluid is not always odorless. It can have a sweet smell to it. I just thought I would give you something else to look for.

Also, I had this happen to me too, and I went right to labor and delivery, just to find that my bladder was leaking a bit, so it was urine. They said it is nothing to be embarrassed about and is normal. :)

Yes, it can have a sweet smell if there are complications such as gestational diabetes. TYPICALLY it is odorless.

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Originally Posted by J_9

Yes, it can have a sweet smell if there are complications such as gestational diabetes. TYPICALLY it is odorless.

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Actually, I was told by my doctor that it almost always has a sweet smell, no matter what. That's what she told me to look for when I went to labor and delivery that time. She said that is the only way you can tell amniotic fluid from urine.

And urine will have a sweet smell too if there is gestational diabetes involved.

The only real way is a urine dip, specific gravity test, and/or a pH test.

I'm just stating what I was told by my doctor, about 4 months ago. I didn't have gestational diabetes, and that's what she told me.

Okay, whatever, I'm not going to argue with you. Since I have had 4 of my own kids, delivered 2 of my sister's and 1 of a friend, I am sure you know what you are talking about.

All I stated was that it TYPICALLY has no odor. No reason to enter into a heated discussion.

What does the fluid look like?

Amniotic fluid can be clear, pink, brown, or green. It also has an unusual smell that some people compare to Comet cleanser. If the fluid looks yellowish and smells of ammonia, you're probably experiencing urine leakage. This frequently happens to women toward the end of pregnancy.

But TYPICALLY there is no odor or color.

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Originally Posted by J_9

Okay, whatever, I'm not going to argue with you. Since I have had 4 of my own kids, delivered 2 of my sister's and 1 of a friend, I am sure you know what you are talking about.

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I never started arguing with you. I stated what I was told by a DOCTOR and you rushed in to correct me, as if I hadn't been told that.

This is a public board, and I should be able to share my personal experiences (because that is what is mostly shared here) without constantly being bickered at.

Amniotic fluid is a colorless liquid made of water, fetal skin cells, and fetal waste, and is contained within the amniotic sac or "bag of waters" that surrounds your baby.

When your water breaks, you might notice anything from a slight dampness or small trickle of water, to a gush of fluid from your vagina. The fluid should be clear and non-odorous.

Text taken from Mosby's Maternal and Fetal Health 7th Edition

Okay then I guess my doctor was wrong. Or maybe she didn't say that and I just pulled it out of my rear end. But either way, I'll be sure and let her know next time I see her.

As I stated, there can be reasons as to why there is an odor or discoloration.