Is AmnioSense blueTM right for you?
AmnioSense blue™ panty liners are for women experiencing unidentified vaginal discharge during their pregnancy. It’s the only over-the-counter amniotic fluid leak detection self-test in Canada, which in addition to giving results that are as accurate as in-hospital tests, is non-invasive and allows for constant monitoring—wherever, whenever.
If leakage of amniotic fluid is a concern to you during your pregnancy, new and improved AmnioSense blue™ panty liners can help you to identify when a discharge is a false alarm and when it’s important that you seek immediate medical assistance. AmnioSense blue™ can help lower your stress during pregnancy and provide peace of mind by helping you to ensure that you’re doing all you can for your baby.
Learn more about AmnioSense blue™ panty liners by speaking to your healthcare professional for additional information.
Instructions
AmnioSense blue™ panty liners are worn like a normal panty liner:
- Tap water can interfere with the test: wash and dry your hands.
- Pull off the paper backing from the panty liner to reveal the adhesive. The panty liner contains a pale yellow indicator.
- Attach the adhesive side of the panty liner to the inside of your underwear (Figure 1). The pale yellow indicator strip should sit directly against your vagina. Wear the panty liner as you would a normal panty liner until you feel wetness (do not exceed 12 hours).
- At the first sign of vaginal wetness, or when replacing the panty liner, remove the panty liner from your underwear, wait 15 minutes, then check for a stain on the panty liner’s yellow background.
- If the panty liner remains completely yellow after 15 minutes, but you are still experiencing wetness, consider using another test and continue monitoring or contact your healthcare professional.
- Dispose of the panty liner as you would dispose of other hygiene products.
Figure 1
Do not wear for more than 12 hours
Test results
- If you observe any signs of vaginal bleeding, disregard the results and contact your healthcare professional immediately.
- If the AmnioSense blue™ panty liner is stained blue or green: leakage may be amniotic fluid, you must contact your healthcare provider without delay. IMPORTANT: If you detect any blue/green staining—no matter the quantity, intensity or size, it is important that you seek immediate healthcare advice. Blue/green staining can occur in a wide variety of patterns which may not match the illustrations shown in figure 2.
- If the AmnioSense blue™ panty liner did not change colour (remained yellow): the wetness sensation was probably not caused by amniotic fluid. If you continue to experience wetness, use a new panty liner and repeat the test, or contact your healthcare professional.
Notes:
- Amniotic fluid stains remain visible on the AmnioSense blue™ panty liner for 2 hours.
- Consult package insert for more information.
Contraindications
To ensure accurate results, don’t use AmnioSense blue™ if you:
- Have engaged in sexual intercourse within the last 12 hours
- Have used a vaginal douche within the last 12 hours
- Have used a vaginal cream or gel within the last 12 hours
- Have experienced recent vaginal bleeding or spotting
- Have been diagnosed with a vaginal infection within the last 3 days
- Are being treated with an antibiotic
- Are sweating (immediately after or during exercise)
- Are on a special diet that increases vaginal pH
Video Q&A
The American Family Nurse Practitioner and Women’s Health expert, Dr. Mimi Secor, DNP, FNP-BC, NCMP, FAANP, answers questions during the Canadian Association of Midwives conference in Montreal, QC, on November 2, 2015.
The importance of testing with AmnioSense blueTM
Find out how AmnioSense blue™ compares to other test options as well as the risks associated with amniotic fluid leak.
Comparing with other tests
In the past, rupture of membrane has been diagnosed in the hospital, only. The new AmnioSense blue™ panty liner is the only over-the-counter amniotic fluid leak detection test in Canada, which in addition to excellent test accuracy, is non-invasive and allows for constant monitoring—wherever and whenever you need it.
The table below provides a listing of other tests for the diagnosis of amniotic fluid leak and allows you to compare and contrast options.
Table 1: Diagnostic methods for detecting PROM/pPROM5
Notes:
• PROM/pPROM = Premature or pre-term premature rupture of the amniotic membrane
• PAMG-1 refers to placental alpha macroglobulin-1 and is present in blood and the amniotic fluid and cervico-vaginal discharge of pregnant women
Complications of amniotic fluid leak
Premature or pre-term premature rupture of the amniotic membrane (PROM/pPROM) with leakage of amniotic fluid can have very serious implications for the health of both baby and mother.
Table 2: Complications of premature and pre-term premature rupture of membrane (PROM/pPROM)1
| FETAL COMPLICATIONS:1 | MATERNAL COMPLICATIONS:1 |
|---|---|
| • Prematurity | • Infection |
| • Accounts for 20% of cases of perinatal mortality | • Pre-term labour |
| • Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) | • Cesarean delivery |
| • Intraventricular haemorrhage | • Chorioamnionitis |
| • Necrotizing enterocolitis | • Metritis |
| • Patent ductus arteriosus | • Placental abruption |
| • Retinopathy of prematurity | • Other complications |
| • Neonatal sepsis | |
| • Cord compression or prolapse |
| FETAL COMPLICATIONS:1 |
|---|
| • Prematurity |
| • Accounts for 20% of cases of perinatal mortality |
| • Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) |
| • Intraventricular haemorrhage |
| • Necrotizing enterocolitis |
| • Patent ductus arteriosus |
| • Retinopathy of prematurity |
| • Neonatal sepsis |
| • Cord compression or prolapse |
| MATERNAL COMPLICATIONS:1 |
|---|
| • Infection |
| • Pre-term labour |
| • Cesarean delivery |
| • Chorioamnionitis |
| • Metritis |
| • Placental abruption |
| • Other complications |
If you suspect amniotic fluid leakage, it's essential that you receive immediate medical assistance.