How to Tell If Your Water Broke (or if you just peed)

Womens Health Crystal L.

What tests can your healthcare professional do?

If you are still uncertain about what the fluid was, you should contact your midwife or OB and discuss your symptoms. There are specific tests that can be done to identify the liquid. Three major tests that can be done include:

Sterile speculum exam: This exam is to discover if there is a pooling of fluids in the back of the vagina. Your doctor instructs you to lie down while he inserts a sterile speculum into your vagina.
Litmus test: Your healthcare provider will insert a Litmus in your vaginal if it changes color, then it is amniotic fluid; if not, it is urine. If your doctor can get the liquid from your underwear or pad, the procedure might not involve a vaginal exam.
Ferning test: Your doctor will get a sample of the liquid using a cotton swab and examine it under the microscope. If it makes a pattern that looks like a Fern leaf, it is amniotic fluid.

These exams may be used in conjunction to diagnose whether your water has broken. A proprietary test may also be done.

Crystal L. June 17, 2022

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