HELP! Freaking out a bit *TMI* CM/discharge/leaking question

I'm trying hard to stay rational about this and not freak out, I hope I'm over-reacting.

Here's the story from the start. Rewind to around 3pm yesterday, I'm walking around at the shops and I get a major flare up of my irritable bowel syndrome i.e. very urgent and unpleasant bowel motions. Go to the loo at the shops and wait for it to pass but I notice I've also passed some very thick blobs of mucous (from my vagina, I felt it come out) Yellowish in colour and thick. Probably around 2-3 pieces each the size of a 5 cent piece.

Get home, more bowel motions and just rest for the remainder of the evening cos I'm feeling so dreadful (which is normal after these episodes occur).

Wake up in the night to the sensation of leaking, like a little bit of wee escaping. Which I figure can't be that abnormal given my bladder is filling so frequently and I need to go alot. Go to the loo, wipe and find more thick stringy CM. Ok, bit worried but hoping its just related to the bowel activities of the day.

Put a pad on to monitor. Through the rest of the night I continue to get the leaking feeling, getting up and doing a wee but noticing stuff continue to dribble even after I *think* I've emptied my bladder. From what I could see it kinda looks clear, dribbly stuff with a bit of thickness to it but not much.

Get DP to get me a cold glass of water - baby moves around as a result so I feel a little better but this leakiness continues into the night and has continued today. I don't think its urine. But how do I know if its just really runny CM after yesterday's activities or if (I don't want to say it) its a slow leak of my waters? I'm only 25 weeks. That can't happen.

It doesn't help that its coincided with one of those days where baby is playing possum and I have that *I just don't feel pregnant feeling*. I'm too scared to think about the fact that it might not be a coincidence.

How much really wet CM is normal? Its the same kind of sensation you get when AF is in town, so I know its coming from my vagina. If I ring my midwife how do they tell? And what the hell does it mean? Arrrrrrrrrrrrrgh. Time to get on the phone I think. I'm so scared, what if its the worst?

:pray: everything is ok

If you are worried, go to the doctor or hospital and they will monitor you to put your mind at ease.

I would say it sounds like some of your plug, but you are a bit early for that. Does it smell of anything? (lol sorry, but yes, sniff it if you can)
I have MASSES of CM whole way through pregnancy, and it gets worse around the time AF should have shown up everymonth...had it last time and so far, this pg is the same. Could be your waters leaking too I suppose...

If it were me I would go the doctor.

But if bubs is moving, then at least you know all is well there at the moment so try not to stress - no point worrying about things you can't change and don't know for sure. :hug: Call the dr.

Lots of CM is a common issue in pregnancy, and the absence of any contractions is really encouraging. That said, you do need to speak to a midwife and possibly get checked out as, if this is the start of premature labour, they will want you in hospital to monitor you and stop it all happening too soon. I hope you are ok.

T
xx

I would definately phone your midwife. They have a "dipstick" thingy (sorry bad description!) that they can test the mucous with to see whether it is your waters or not.
Big hugs, good luck xx

Thanks all, just called my midwife. She said its highly unlikely that its a leak of my waters but to keep a pad on and monitor. She'll chat to me in a few hours to see what's happening and maybe pop round and check on the baby too. We're planning on birthing at home. She said if anything makes us more concerned we'll head off the the hospital to see what they say.

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I have MASSES of CM whole way through pregnancy, and it gets worse around the time AF should have shown up everymonth...had it last time and so far, this pg is the same.

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Lime, what consistency was it do you mind me asking? This stuff I've got going on it quite wet and thin. I'm used the the thick stuff, get that all the time in copious amounts too, but this has just thrown me because its so much thinner. I can't pick up a distinct smell on the pad either so I'm a bit lost there.

**TMI...**

It varies...but generally it is quite thin, but white to clear in colour. It get thicker and I can 'feel it" bit like when you get your period maybe 3-5 days a month. On a normal day though, I just always wear a liner otherwise I need to change my knickers by lunchtime...lol there is a lot of it!

Hopefully it's just regular CM. I always had heaps too of varying consistency. It was never my plug.
Have a good chat with your midwife :hug:

Thanks Lime & marcellus. I'm pretty sure its just normal CM, probably just a bit more than I'm used to. Its not really increased or gotten any worse over the past few hours. My midwife called back to check and said its probably just normal leukorrhea (which is the normal discharge we get in pregnancy) just a bit more profuse. I think what threw me was that it seemed quite suddenly so thin, but that is passing so fingers crossed its just been temporary. And bub is still kicking around, albeit once in a blue moon. I think he/she is having a hide & seek day.

:hug: It's scary when things change, bubs has a quiet day and you get big changes in CM.

The I have lots pieces of my plug from very early on in this pregnancy, although I am glad I haven't lost any in the last few weeks, but it has been the consistency of the greenish/yellowish stuff that you described earlier. I lost it with DD thoughout my pregnancy, but a grea thing is it can replenish andmy OB wants to be aware when I do lose it and how much, but has said to not get too concerned unless it is a few cm long and large pieces.

This pregnancy I also have a lot of extra CM that I didn't have with DD, my OB said I looked primed at 16 weeks :o so there is definitely a lot there, but my cervix lengths although shortened are still tighly closed :)

The extra discharge could be linked to your IBS, as everything is so close together in that area that a few rumbles can make a few things shift around IYKWIM.

I hope that bubs kicks up a storm for you in the next few days, and it is great that your MW is just a phone call away, but if you feel any other changes, and BH's increase in them cramps etc, please get to the WA at the WCH to be checked out if your MW can't come by, take care and thinking of you xxoo

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The extra discharge could be linked to your IBS, as everything is so close together in that area that a few rumbles can make a few things shift around IYKWIM.

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Beema, thats what I keep reminding myself....it has to be linked. The IBS episode I had on Friday was a really bad one so it must get everything moving. I panicked a bit cos I felt like my belly had changed shape, but I just keep reminding myself that I was probably holding on to a weeks worth of bloating which has been now passed. And I know that bub has changed position and is hiding up the back somewhere and just having a few quiet days. Kicks are still regular & strong when I actually sit down and relax LOL my weekends are usually filled with me being up and about, walking around or cleaning the house so of course bubs is going to be quiet - he/she is probably having a nice old snooze! I'm making myself take some time to sit regularly and just ensure the kicks are still there....DS is down for a nap so I'm catching up on BB! The whole time Ive had no pain, cramps, spotting or bleeding, so I'm sure its all ok.

Feeling much more rational about it all now. Thanks for your support xox

So after another day of stressing myself out I called my midwife and she came round this morning to check on everything. Bubs' heartbeat is strong and when she felt my tummy she said everything felt completely normal, lots of fluid etc. Which is a relief. Yesterday was another hide & seek day for bubs so I just needed to hear that heartbeat for some reassurance & to stop obsessing over every single little kick.

The discharge is going back to *sorry TMI* the thickness I'm used to. There is still A LOT of it there but its definitely just CM. I just have to get used the the wetness / leaky feeling eeeeeeeeeewww I know. Maybe it will settle down again before the pregnancy is finished. Who knows!

:hug: I am so glad your MW popped around to see you and you got to hear that lovely HB :)

It is wonderful to hear that everything is feeling normal and that your discharge has gone back to what you are used to, you are doing a fabulous job, it isn't the best feeling to have to get used to, mine comes in gushes and it is always a bit of an ewwww moment when it happens!
Take care and smooth sailing from here on in, but always here for you if you need us xxoo