Reasons Behind Leaking Fluid During Pregnancy

It becomes quite embarrassing if you suddenly start leaking during your pregnancy. For others, the leaking may not be visible; but you may become worried with the fear that there must be something wrong.

The leakage of the amniotic fluid is also known as pregnancy discharge. There are a plethora of reasons for the fluid leakage to take place; but first, you must acquaint yourself with what kind of a fluid it is.

The amniotic fluid is a kind of fluid that surrounds the foetus in uterus. This fluid allows the foetus to travel flexibly around the uterus.

In short, this fluid acts as a protector to your baby and it also makes sure that the uterus does not shrink too tightly. It also acts as a cushion to protect the baby (growing foetus). Without this fluid, your baby won't be protected.

This fluid is not produced in the beginning; it is produced after 2 weeks of the fertilization process. Slowly, it begins to fill up the amniotic sac. During the later phases of pregnancy, the fluid also contains the foetal urine.

If you see any leakage in the later phase, it is actually the wall of the amniotic sac that is breaking. This busted wall will let the entire amniotic fluid flow out.

If you notice that the liquid is colourless, it is undoubtedly the amniotic liquid; and you must get in touch with your physician at once. In 99 percent of the cases, a leakage means that your doctor will take you to labour to deliver your baby within 24 hours.

Following are a variety of reasons for the amniotic fluid leakage to take place, take a look:

Commencement Of The Labour
Before the complete breakage of the amniotic sac wall, it is under an excess pressure. Due to this excess pressure and tension, the sac will start to leak slowly. The gradual leakage will ultimately lead to complete water breaking and finally send you into labour.

Early Rupture
Just before your body is geared up to deliver, a rupture or a tear of the sac wall may happen. The amniotic fluid will start leaking and this might be an early rupture. If you notice a leakage between the 37th and 38th week of pregnancy, then it is certainly a premature rupture. The various causes for an early rupture include bacterial infection, poor diet, drugs or alcohol addiction, vaginal infection, abnormal growth of the uterus or any previous vaginal/uterus surgeries.

Tear Of The Amniotic Sac Wall
This is the least troublesome reason of fluid leakage during pregnancy. Since the 2 membranes of the amniotic sac join together and get fastened, these can tear a little bit during your pregnancy. As a result of this minor tear, the amniotic fluid may leak. However, you don't have to worry much if you get this tiny tear. The 2 membranes are likely to be rejoined in a very short interval of time. As soon as the membranes join together, the tear gets healed and the leaking also stops by itself.

Serious Split Of The Membranes Of The Amniotic Sac
If the leakage of amniotic fluid is due to severe split of membranes of the amniotic sac, then your labour can initiate within 48 hours. If this happens, then you need an immediate management therapy, in order to avoid any kind of an infection to your foetus.

Nowadays, there are a myriad of over-the-counter drugs available in the market that can help you to test your fluid to find out whether it is urine or the amniotic fluid. So, make sure to keep at least one of these drugs to be rest assured of your baby's health.