Published on: 4/28/2025
Trickling waters feel like a slow, steady leak of fluid instead of a strong, sudden gush.
When your waters trickle, you might notice that a little fluid keeps coming out over time rather than a big burst all at once. You may feel dampness on your underwear or see small wet spots, but the flow is not heavy. With a full rupture, the amniotic fluid usually gushes out quickly, soaking through your clothes and pads fast. In contrast, with a trickle, the leak is much more subtle and can sometimes be mistaken for normal vaginal wetness. It might come in small drops that make you feel a little wet here and there without a rush. If you see this or feel it, and you’re not sure if it is your water breaking, it’s a good idea to contact your healthcare provider. They can do tests and check to see if the membranes have truly torn, so everything is okay for you and your baby.
(References)
Gold RB, Goyert GL, Schwartz DB, Evans MI, Seabolt LA. Conservative management of second-trimester post-amniocentesis fluid leakage. Obstet Gynecol. 1989 Nov;74(5):745-7. PMID: 2812651.
Sival DA, Visser GH, Prechtl HF. Does reduction of amniotic fluid affect fetal movements? Early Hum Dev. 1990 Sep;23(3):233-46. doi: 10.1016/0378-3782(90)90014-a. PMID: 2253581.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). Labor and Delivery. _National Institutes of Health_. Accessed March 22, 2025.
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