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Questions and Answers

Q. Hi, I am 34 weeks pregnant. I have a strange question. Very often when the baby is moving around I hear a strange sound. It sounds almost like a click or a pop up near the top of my uterus. The only way I can really describe it is it sounds like someone flipping there finger on the top of water, or maybe even kind of like the sound of someone poking their finger through plastic wrap. I don't know, anyway it is strange. This is my third baby and I never heard anything like this with my other two. I honestly thought my water had broken the first time I heard it. But I have heard it so many times since then and as far as I know I am not leaking. Do you have any idea what this sound could be? If my amniotic sac did have a little hole in it at the very top would it leak? One more question.....My cervix and hip bones have been aching terribly the last couple of days. Does this mean I am starting to efface? Thanks!

A. I have heard other women report hearing "popping" sound with fetal movement. It is not uncommon for a popping sound to accompany amniotic rupture as you mentioned, but you have had no leakage of fluid and the sound has repeated itself numerous times. It may remain a mystery unless your obstetrician or midwife has an explanation!

It is possible for there to be a small tear in the upper portion of the amniotic sac. This sometimes will re-seal and is almost always discovered due to leaking vaginally of a small amount of fluid seperate from urine leakage.

The aching you describe brings back memories! Your baby is no doubt settling in, nice and cozy in your pelvis and preparing for labor. Also with each baby your carry you tend to feel more discomfort down below and a lot of women report carrying each baby a little lower than the last... So you may be effacing and dilating but may not necessarily be going into labor really soon. Take care!

Cyndi Klausing, RN, ACCE, has been a childbirth educator and breastfeeding counselor for over 18 years. She currently works as a newborn nursery nurse and is the mother of four sons.

Cyndi will answer your questions on fertility, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and babies. Her advice does not take the place of your practitioner. Personal answers will not always be possible.