What is AmnioSense?
Amniosense was originally developed to help midwives to clarify whether any wetness felt by expectant mums was the onset of waters breaking or leaking urine.
Amniosense is a panty liner that can detect Amniotic Leakage during pregnancy. It is designed for self-testing and is of value in both normal and high-risk pregnancies. The test can also identify whether you may have a vaginal infection, which can be harmful to the baby if left untreated before delivery.
When should AmnioSense be used?
AmnioSense should be used from week 36 onwards in all normal pregnancies, after amniocentisis, whenever there is an unidentified wetness or as recommended by your doctor.
Who should use AmnioSense?
Women who have had an amniocentesis should use AmnioSense for 2-3 days afterwards to check that no leakage is occurring. If a positive result is seen then the midwife or doctor should be consulted right away.
Women having a previous history of pre-term labour or premature rupture of membranes should use AmnioSense daily to monitor themselves. This means that they can continue their daily routine assured that they are in safe hands. A negative result provides valuable reassurance that any leakage that may occur is going to be quickly detected. A positive test result means that the midwife or doctor should be contacted right away.
Amniotic fluid leakage has until now been difficult to detect reliably largely because of urine leakage which is quite common in pregnancy. AmnioSense can tell the difference between amniotic fluid and urine leakage.
Premature rupture of membranes presents a serious risk to mother and baby - the risk to the mother is infection and pre-term delivery (about 40% of all pre-term deliveries are associated with premature rupture of membranes). The risk to the baby can be very serious. Amniotic fluid leakage occurs in 30-40% of pre-term deliveries and its reliable early detection using AmnioSense will allow women to confidently seek medical assistance promptly.
How should AmnioSense be used?
To use AmnioSense, simply attach the special panty liner to your underwear and carry on as normal. When you feel a fluid leak, remove the indicator strip from the panty liner and lay the indicator strip on the white cloth in the open plastic box provided. Close the box. Dispose of the panty liner and after 10 minutes check for a change in colour. If the indicator strip is stained blue or green, amniotic fluid may be leaking from the uterus or you may have a vaginal infection. Under these circumstances you should see your doctor or go to the hospital straight away.
The colour change in cases of amniotic fluid leak is stable for more than 2 hours. If you intend to show the indicating result to your doctor, take the closed plastic box containing the indicator strip to your doctor as soon as possible.
If the indicator strip stains blue or green and then fades back to yellow, or if the colour does not change at all, the fluid leak is probably urine, which is common during pregnancy.
What does the AmnioSense kit contain?
The AmnioSense kit contains two test panty liners, two plastic boxes for drying the indicator strip and full instructions for use.
Are there any warnings or precautions to be observed when using AmnioSense?
There are only two precautions to observe when using AmnioSense and they are that you must allow 12 hours after sexual intercourse or vaginal touching before using AmnioSense.
