How do you know if you have had PPROM?

[TigerLady]

I'm only 20 weeks and a bit unsure about this. I don't think baby's sac has ruptured, but something keeps making me wonder.

Basically, I had a really rough week! I had a sinus infection that had me coughing severely and often for several days last week. After that I caught a 24 hour bug that had me vomitting horridly for an entire day. (The joys of what a baby brings home from nursery. )

Anyway, when I had a cold with my LO while pg my OB said the main concern was a severe cough causing rupture of membranes.

Since being sick this last week, I have been rather wet down there. With a distinct odor to it. No gushes, not soaking wet... but damper than I remember being???

I remember loads of different discharge with No. 1, but can't remember if this is normal or not.

So, how do you know normal discharge vs. slowly leaking waters??? Anyone know???

TIA

 

[applegirl]

honey - I think it is worth asking your doc about this

 

[TigerLady]

I may call and talk to the nurse tomorrow. But here is my dilemma, please excuse me if this sounds a bit harsh, but this is the reality of US healthcare.

If I call them, they almost surely will want me in to do a scan and check everything. On one hand, it is better to be safe than sorry. And I would agree if I was closer to viability or third tri. But, I'm not. So, if I have had PPROM, there really isn't anything that can be done to save the baby at this point. I will loose her for sure. And the emergency scan will cost me about $300... just to tell me that I am loosing her.... or to tell me everything is fine.

If I were closer to viability, then the scan would be worth it. If something is wrong, they would be able to do something to help. But I'm not there. So, the costly scan really isn't beneficial to me or the baby at this point.

And I have a normal scan (that won't cost me anything) already scheduled for a week from now. So, I will know by then either way.

So... I am reluctant to call and talk to them about it. I hope that makes sense.

 

[applegirl]

that makes perfect sense, and in your shoes - i would wait and hope for next week's scan I think meerkat is going to be fine honey

 

[applegirl]

any chance the normally scheduled scan could be moved up a little ?

 

[TigerLady]

Hmmm... I might check on that. That's a good idea!

But I wouldn't hold my breath. My OB is uber busy and getting in to see him (and not his partner or midwife nurse) is difficult on short notice. More likely I will have to wait. I'm glad you understand my reasoning for that. I feel guilty because you are always supposed to be safe instead of sorry when you are pg!

 

[srm0421]

I don't know about the ruptured but I have be very damp down yonder too I am sure things will be just fine. I would be reluctant to pay $300 for the scan too. Just try to take it easy when you have a chance and let us know if anything else happens. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

 

[TigerLady]

Thanks, Sara. It helps just to know you have been very wet, too!

 

[Tasha]

Oh hun please don't wait. If your waters have broken it absolutely does not mean you would lose your baby. My waters went early and my little girl was not born for another six weeks. They would most likely have a look down there, see if there is any pooling of the waters and if there is they can do a swab which turns a different colour to tell them if it is amniotic fluid, and then it would be a scan if there was any signs of waters.

The thing is hun, and I really don't want to scare you but the reason it is so important to be seen with PPROM or suspected PPROM is because you need antibiotics if it is proven to be that, now this is not just for baby but for you if you were to get an infection it could make both of you very very poorly.

 

[applegirl]

honey - having LOADS of CM during pregnancy is the norm! I know a lot of ladies wear a panty liner - or even a pad. I don't, but I likely should as I often leak through to my trousers

when you say odor - what do you mean - that was the only part that made me concerned. I think that my cm still mostly smells like cm and yes - I have gushes- I've never even considered it being leaking waters

 

[applegirl]

that is a really good point Tasha - I was so busy thinking about the possibility of MC -I forgot about infection - that is a real risk ladyT

 

[TigerLady]

Kind of that pregnant odor - which is what my cm tends to smell like -- but stronger maybe?

I've been looking around and they say if it smells sweet, then it might be fluid. I will have to see for sure next time I get damp, but I don't think it is sweet.

Tasha, thanks for that! Maybe I will just call and talk to the nurse and see what she says. I can always express my concerns about the cost of the scan and go from there.

 

[Tasha]

Sounds like a good idea TigerLady, hopefully they will help

 

[applegirl]

yes - I have definitely heard that your waters smell sweet - if the CM just smells 'pregnant' or like CM - then I would not be too worried. A chat with the nurse seems like a good idea. If they are really concerned about PPROM - would the scan not be covered?

 

[TigerLady]

Yep, it would be covered... but only at that certain percentage. The scan they did for the subch bleed I had with this one was covered. And I still owe nearly $300 on it.

 

[Tasha]

Some women say it smells of a hay sort of smell and others say sweet, from six weeks of broken waters I can say mine did smell sweet.

 

[TigerLady]

<--- will definitely be smelling her panties next time they are damp.

 

[applegirl]

ok - I REALLY don't think you have PPROM - but I do think you should call and ask the nurse about it - it would be great if they can check some of the fluid and confirm it is not your waters

 

[applegirl]

meerkat just rolled her eyes at pips and told her that her mom is worrying over nothing

 

[TigerLady]

Meerkat's Daddy told her Mommy the same thing tonight, but in a less kinder fashion. More like, "Stop worrying so much and stop being grouchy!"