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Amniotic fluid has a pretty distinct sweet smell.

@ChitownRo: I would say that if it doesnt smell, its probably urine or some kind of discharge. If its fluid, lay down for a while and you'll get another gush when you stand up again.

I agree it could also be discharge, not pee or amniotic fluid. Mine broke in the hospital in a huge gush so I didn't smell it but definitely knew it was my water. I also agree you will continue to have little gushes if it's your water. I hope you can get back to sleep!

@ChitownRo: when my water broke I was very unsure too. Mine had part of my plug mixed it and was the slightest trickle so I kept thinking it was discharge. I put a pad down and go ready for work. Once I had enough to smell it was a distinct smell, kinda like sugar cookies.

Not to throw a story in to question yourself more, but I had a trickle of water for two days that I thought was just pee. It happened mostly when I stood up. I think I was in denial that it was the real deal too. It stated Monday night and by Wed morning I felt like something might be happening. Called the midwife and she had me come in to check. Sure enough it had broken. I didn't notice any distinct smell and I was actively checking. One thing you could try is getting on all fours and doing a cat/cow yoga position. I think my baby's head was blocking the water from rushing. I did this during active labor and it was followed by a huge gush. Good luck!

This happened to me when I was 39 weeks. I thought it was urine but it turned out my water broke. It was accompanied by contractions (45 minutes apart). But it definitely wasn't a big gush. If you are still getting your underwear wet, give your doc a call. They can check to see if it's fluid very easily

Go get checked out!

I thought I peed myself as well. My underwear smelled like pee because I leaked a little urine earlier in the day. Turns out it was my water and I had a slow leak. I was 37 + 2.

I thought this around 36-38 weeks too! I forget the exact time frame. I went in to my OB to have it tested (super simple) and it was discharge. lovely.

my water ended up breaking spontaneously at 40w and was two HUGE gushes - it also definitely smelled different and felt different. I know that's so not helpful, since everyone is different.

But if you're worried, I'd err on the side of caution and go in!

I would call. My OB had me go to the hospital....the first time it was nothing, the second was the real thing. For me the real deal was pretty obvious....by the time i got to the hospital i was soaked to my knees from the regularly occuring little gushes... My baby was breech though, so going into active labor was dangerous, so i was a little more cautious. When in doubt, call your doc. You are getting ready to pay him/her a LOT of money...thats what they are there for!