Probable TMI, would you call the emergency OB line?

By Ms.Pumpkin Jul 4, 2014

I'm 26 weeks today, and this morning started having vaginal discharge that is really watery and thin- not at all like the range of strange pregnancy discharge that I've gotten used to in the past few months! The baby seems ok, and I've felt her moving around, so I don't think I'm having decreased movement.

my doctor's website has basic guidance for all trimesters, including a "when to call your doctor" list, and the 2nd trimester list includes watery discharge.

Of course it's a holiday, so I can't just speak to a nurse (which is my general preference), I have to call the "Emergency line". and get an on-call doctor. But I don't really know that this is an emergency, since I chances are, I'm just a crazy FTM experiencing totally normal stuff.

So is this totally normal, or should I call the emergency line?

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17 comments

OsoInGreenAndGold
coffee bean / 37 posts

Jul 4, 2014

Are you worried that it's amniotic fluid? I seem to remember a variety of special discharges at various points in the pregnancy, so I probably wouldn't call, BUT I always say GO WITH YOUR GUT.
Mae
papaya / 10343 posts

Jul 4, 2014

I had this happen around the same time and I did contact my doctor for the same reason. She said that more discharge is normal as you go through pregnancy. The reason they tell you to call is to make sure it is not amniotic fluid leaking. She said if it was not bad enough that I needed a pad then she wasn't worried and didn't need to see me. But if you're at all worried or suspect it could be amniotic fluid id call just for peace of mind.
.twist.
pineapple / 12802 posts

Jul 4, 2014

I don't think it would hurt to call. My doctors always told me they would rather have me call and it be nothing, than not call and have it be a problem.

I went into labour pre-mature because my water broke up high and was "leaking". Not enough to tip me off that it actually broke. I had my kiddo the next day.
Meltini
apricot / 495 posts

Jul 4, 2014

If it's a lot of discharge, I would call. If it is just a little bit I probably wouldn't. It's always better to be safe but trust your gut. If you don't feel like anything is wrong, you are probably right. Put on a liner and see how long it takes to fill it. In my second tri I thought I had a lot of discharge (ended up being pee lol) so I put a liner on and could go all day without filling it up so it obviously wasn't as much as I thought.
Pepper
pomelo / 5820 posts

Jul 4, 2014

Is it constantly dripping or trickling out? If you put a pad on, would it fill the pad in time? If so, I'd call. If not, and it's just thin discharge, I wouldn't. However, sometimes calling and hearing an OB give clear instructions on what to look for would bring me peace of mind. So, if you're worried, don't feel bad about calling!
Ms.Pumpkin
apricot / 435 posts

Jul 4, 2014

Yeah, mainly because that's what Dr. Google tends to come up with- abut half of the results are "totally normal, don't worry", and the other half are, "Yes, it's amniotic fluid, & you need to go to the hospital RIGHT NOW"

And due to the fact that the range of normal pregnancy discharge is vast and diverse (and copious), my gut is kind of telling me to not worry about it.

But I tend to be a "eeh, it's nothing" kind of patient, so I wonder if I should be ignoring my gut and calling anyway!
.twist.
pineapple / 12802 posts

Jul 4, 2014

@Ms.Pumpkin: FWIW, I am totally a "meh, no biggie" patient too.

It took making a thread on HB and having people tell me to call to actually just make the call.
Ms.Pumpkin
apricot / 435 posts

Jul 4, 2014

@Pepper: the dripping isn't constant, I noticed it because I'm wearing dark underwear, and noticed a spot about the size of a quarter dollar on my underwear.

Sigh. I think I'll just call. Probably won't be the first time they've heard a crazy lady calling about nothing, but you all are right- better to call over nothing then to miss something potentially important!
autumnlove
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts

Jul 4, 2014

I would call for sure! Hope everything is ok!
Pepper
pomelo / 5820 posts

Jul 4, 2014

@Ms.Pumpkin: I hope it's nothing! Don't feel bad about calling, that's what they're there for. Keep us updated
Ms.Pumpkin
apricot / 435 posts

Jul 4, 2014

Haha, welp, I called, and the doctor said that it sounded normal. She said that if it were amniotic fluid, that it would be a steady drip or stream, almost like I were peeing myself, but without having the urge to urinate.

And DH (who comes from a family of doctors) said the same thing- the Dr on call today is technically working, so it's not like I'm interrupting private time for them! I think he was a little baffled by my reluctance to call, to be honest.
Ms.Pumpkin
apricot / 435 posts

Jul 4, 2014

@.twist.: Yeah, and knowing my own tendency to not take this stuff too seriously makes me second guess everything now that there's a baby involved. If it were just me, I'd never even think of calling the doctor!

Since the Dr. on call didn't seem too concerned, I'm gonna not worry about it, unless it continues through tomorrow or Sunday or something.
.twist.
pineapple / 12802 posts

Jul 4, 2014

@Ms.Pumpkin: yay! I would take it day by day now that you've talked to someone. Glad they didn't seem concerned.
Tidybee
nectarine / 2834 posts

Jul 4, 2014

@Ms.Pumpkin: This is kinda gross but can you smell it? I had a lot of these type of (ahem) issues during pregnanc, so my OB gave me a little "at home" tutorial. The amniotic fluid smells sweet. There's a condition called BV where it smells like fish and very different from normal discharge. I had that twice, and it's super simple to treat but does require antibiotics. When I had BV, I could tell quickly because my first sign was increased watery discharge. I think I had it around 20 and 28 weeks.
Rockies11
persimmon / 1363 posts

Jul 4, 2014

what about going and buying one of those amniotic fluid test kits? then you can have peace of mind without calling anyone!
Ocean girl
kiwi / 637 posts

Jul 4, 2014

@Rockies11: was just going to suggest this.

I believe all you need is litmus paper. And if it turns blue, it's amniotic fluid.? Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Ms.Pumpkin
apricot / 435 posts

Jul 4, 2014

@Tidybee: Haha, not gross! I did actually, and it had no odor at all.

Seems like it's tapered off, so I think it's probably within the range of normal!

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Probable TMI, would you call the emergency OB line?

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