Odd ? But ~ What does amniotic fluid smell like ?

Question

I am 36 weeks 4 days and I have had a slow fluid like discharge sense last night, I have had this a few times before and went in and it was nothing, but sense last night it has a scent to it that is pretty strong on and off - it smells like maple syrup almost, like that sweet syrup smell. ???
My doc. is out of town on her vacation and will not be back for 3 more days so if I call in for something I have to call the oncall at the hospital.... Is it worth calling due to the new scent or is it nothing again ??

Answer 1

amnionic fluid doesn't have a scent. I'd leave it unless you develop new symtoms.

Answer 2

Amniotic Fluid Scent

Answer 3

When your water breaks, you may notice a popping sensation and either a gush or a trickle as some of the amniotic fluid leaks out through your vagina (it may even run down your leg). Some mothers-to-be are not sure what is happening. Did the baby just kick my bladder or did my bag of water break?
Some women first notice that their panties are suddenly wet. This may continue even after several changes of underwear. In this case, you'll want to put on a sanitary pad and lie down for 30 minutes or so. If you feel a small gush when you get up, it's possible that your amniotic sac has indeed ruptured, and you should call your practitioner to find out what to do next.
Once your water breaks, the fluid may continue to slowly leak until you deliver your baby. This happens because amniotic fluid primarily consists of fetal urine, which the baby continues to produce even after the amniotic sac has broken.


Amniotic fluid can be clear, pink, brown, or green. It also has an unusual smell that some people compare to Comet cleanser. If the fluid looks yellowish and smells of ammonia, you're probably experiencing urine leakage. This frequently happens to women toward the end of pregnancy.
If the fluid you see is brown or green, make sure you inform your practitioner of the color when you call. This could mean that the baby had his first bowel movement while still inside your uterus, in which case it is called meconium stained fluid.

Answer 4

From what I hear amniotic fluid doesn't smell like anything. But since its getting to the end of your pregnancy the baby may have dropped (also called lightening) and when this happens it causes you to have a lot of discharge. I would wear a panty liner and if you soak it within an hour or so I would call the doctor because it could be amniotic fliud.

Answer 5

That smell definately sounds like the smell of amniotic fluid. It is very distinctive, I leaked like that and had to use sanitary towels and as I walked around the shops I was convinced people would notice the smell as it seemed to surround me. You must go to the hospital though as they need to monitor you for infection and will induce you if you don't go into spontaneous labour. Good luck.

Answer 6

I couldn't smell mine, but I was always told that it was a musty smell- amniotic fluid is basically stagnant water. If it has a strong sweet smell, that would, to me, indicate a bacteria- you might want to go see your the on call doc.

Answer 7

Amniotic fluid can be clear, pink, brown, or green
can have a sweet smell, Comet cleanser smell or have no oder at all.

And it will smell diffrent to diffrent people.

Answer 8

If at any time you are concerned about anything always call and ask a doctor or nurse. Don't just assume it is nothing...
It's better to be safe than sorry.....

That's what they are there for.......

Just call and make sure..........It's probably nothing but why take any chances with your baby.............

Answer 9

It is worth contacting the oncall. An odor may be a sign of something that needs to be addressed.