Leaking Amniotic Fluid: Signs, Causes, and What to Do
3 min read•Updated November 19, 2025
3 min read•Updated November 19, 2025
Leaking amniotic fluid during pregnancy can be a sign that labor is approaching, or it may indicate a complication that needs medical attention. Amniotic fluid is typically clear (or pale yellow) and odorless. It differs from urine or normal vaginal discharge and usually continues to leak without stopping. Key signs include a sudden gush or a persistent trickle of fluid from the vagina.
Key Takeaways
Here’s a quick reference to identify leaking amniotic fluid:
Characteristic
Amniotic Fluid
Urine
Vaginal Discharge
Color
Clear or pale yellow
Yellow
Milky or white
Odor
Odorless
Ammonia/urine smell
Mild smell
Flow pattern
Constant trickle or gush
Intermittent
Varies
If you suspect leaking amniotic fluid, avoid tampons or intercourse and contact your healthcare provider immediately. If the leak occurs before 37 weeks, it may be due to premature rupture of membranes (PROM or PPROM), which can pose risks like infection, preterm labor, or complications for the baby.
In the sections below, we’ll explore the causes of leaking amniotic fluid, the symptoms, risks, and what steps to take next.
What Is Amniotic Fluid?
Amniotic fluid is the protective liquid that surrounds your baby in the uterus throughout pregnancy.
Sometimes referred to as "amniotic water," this clear or slightly yellow fluid cushions your baby, helps maintain a consistent temperature, and supports healthy lung, digestive, and musculoskeletal development. Produced initially by the placenta and later by the baby, amniotic fluid plays a vital role in prenatal health.
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Normal Amniotic Fluid Levels
Amniotic fluid levels are checked regularly during pregnancy because they offer important insights into your baby’s health and development. Your healthcare provider uses ultrasound to measure the volume of amniotic fluid in the uterus. The amniotic fluid volume in pregnancy generally peaks between 34 and 36 weeks, before gradually decreasing until your due date.
There are two standard methods used to evaluate amniotic fluid levels: the amniotic fluid index (AFI) and the maximum vertical pocket (MVP).
These methods help your provider assess whether your fluid volume falls within the normal amniotic fluid index range. Too much amniotic fluid is called polyhydramnios, while a low amniotic fluid level is known as oligohydramnios.
If you have questions about your amniotic fluid levels, don’t hesitate to ask your provider.
What Does Amniotic Fluid Look and Smell Like?
Amniotic fluid color is usually clear or pale yellow; occasionally, it might be tinged with brown or red. It’s thin and watery,and may feel like a constant trickle or slow leak.
Amniotic fluid doesn’t have a smell. It’s odorless, unlike urine, which usually has an ammonia smell.
What does amniotic fluid look like on a pad or toilet paper?
If you notice fluid that is clear and odorless, it is likely amniotic fluid. In contrast, urine will appear yellow and have a distinct smell, while discharge typically has a thicker consistency.
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Signs of Leaking Amniotic Fluid
Noticing a sudden gush or a continuous, slow leak from the vagina can be a sign of leaking amniotic fluid. It may feel like you are involuntarily peeing, but without the sensation of needing to urinate. Here are some signs to watch for:
Wetness in underwear that’s watery and clear
Fluid that smells neutral (not like ammonia)
Liquid that soaks through a pad quickly
Trickling that continues after changing positions or emptying your bladder.
It’s also common to wonder about the signs of leaking amniotic fluid vs. discharge. It may be tricky to distinguish between them; however, vaginal discharge is generally thicker and stickier than amniotic fluid, and the color may range from clear or milky/white to yellowish.
If you’re unsure, it’s always safest to check with your healthcare provider.
Here are some common questions from parents:
Can amniotic fluid leaks happen in small amounts?
Yes. Some parents notice just a light, steady trickle instead of a gush. Even a slow leak can be important to check, especially before 37 weeks.
Can amniotic fluid leaks stop on their own?
Sometimes minor leaks may seal naturally, but you should never wait to find out — always have it checked by your healthcare provider.
Amniotic Fluid Test Strips
Your provider may use amniotic fluid test strips (nitrazine paper) or perform a speculum exam to confirm if your water has broken. These tests look for pH changes or specific proteins found in amniotic fluid. While amniotic fluid leak at home tests are available, they are not as reliable as clinical testing. If in doubt, seek medical advice rather than self-diagnosing.
What Causes Amniotic Fluid to Leak?
Leaking amniotic fluid is most often caused by:
PROM (Premature Rupture of Membranes). The amniotic sac breaks after 37 weeks but before labor begins. This is commonly known as your “water breaking,” which usually occurs after labor and contractions begin.
PPROM (Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes). The sac ruptures before 37 weeks.
Infections, uterine overdistension, or trauma. These can increase the risk of membrane rupture.
Some risk factors for PROM and PPROM include smoking, a history of preterm birth, or multiple pregnancies.
Risks of Leaking Amniotic Fluid
Leaking fluid too early can lead to complications such as:
Infection (For example, chorioamnionitis. This is when bacteria enter tissues or membranes surrounding the baby in the uterus.)
Your healthcare provider can provide you with more information about the risks of leaking amniotic fluid. They may monitor your baby more closely or recommend inducing labor, depending on your pregnancy stage and the amount of fluid lost.
Here are some common questions from parents:
What does leaking amniotic fluid feel like?
It can feel like a steady drip or gush of warm fluid from the vagina that doesn’t stop when you change positions or empty your bladder.
Can I still carry my baby safely if amniotic fluid is leaking?
Many parents go on to have healthy pregnancies if leaks are identified and managed early. Your healthcare provider will monitor your fluid levels and your baby’s growth closely.
When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider
If you’re leaking amniotic fluid, you may wonder when to go to the hospital. Call your provider right away if you:
Notice a continuous trickle or gush of fluid
Are under 37 weeks and suspect a leak
Have signs of infection (fever, pain, foul-smelling fluid).
Your provider will tell you if it’s time to go to the hospital. If in doubt, it’s always a good idea to contact your healthcare provider.
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Treatment for Leaking Amniotic Fluid
Treatment for amniotic fluid leakage depends on when and why the leak occurs:
Before 37 weeks. Your healthcare provider will assess whether they can safely deliver your baby prematurely or whether to delay it, depending on your gestational age and your baby’s health and development. You may be hospitalized for monitoring so your baby’s health can be closely followed. Treatments might include antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection, corticosteroids to support the baby’s lung development, or medications to delay labor (tocolytics).
Every pregnancy is unique; therefore, your healthcare provider will carefully assess what is the best option for you and your baby.
FAQS AT A GLANCE
You may notice a persistent wetness in your underwear, like a trickle or slow leak. Amniotic fluid is generally thin, watery, clear (or light yellow), with no odor.
Yes, especially if the leak happens before 37 weeks of gestation (PPROM). Your provider will determine the next steps.
Urine or increased vaginal discharge can sometimes feel similar, but they usually differ in color and odor. Amniotic fluid is generally clear/light yellow, watery, and odorless.
Amniotic fluid typically has no strong odor, unlike the ammonia smell of urine.
This depends on the cause, timing, and severity of the amniotic fluid leak. Many pregnancies continue safely with close monitoring.
The Bottom Line
Leaking amniotic fluid can be a natural part of labor or a sign of a complication. Look for a clear, watery fluid that is odorless and continues in a trickle or slow leak. If you’re unsure, reach out to your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Prompt care can make a big difference.
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American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Your Pregnancy and Childbirth: Month to Month, 7th ed. (Washington, DC: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2021).
The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.
