Answer: If you notice a warm clear fluid suddenly flowing out of your vagina, it could be your water breaking. Usually, the amniotic fluid sac in which your baby is floating ruptures about 24 to 48 hours before labor starts. Sometimes, this fluid could be mistaken for urinary leakage or an increase in vaginal discharge, both common during pregnancy.
If you’re not sure whether this is a urine leak, discharge, or a break in the amniotic fluid sac, you can perform this simple test at home:
Go to the bathroom, empty your bladder and then put on clean undergarments and a large panty liner. Once done, lay down for about half an hour and then stand up.
If your water is breaking, you will likely wet your panty liner again when you stand up. If the panty liner remains dry, then what you’ve experienced could have been a urine leak or just extra vaginal discharge.
In all cases, consult with your doctor to clear up your doubts.