Actim PROM: how the test is used

It is intended for use by trained healthcare staff rather than self-testing at home. The result supports an obstetric assessment and is considered with your history, examination and other findings. Do not insert the kit's swab yourself unless a qualified clinician responsible for your care has explicitly directed and supervised its use.

The dipstick looks for a protein found at a much higher concentration in amniotic fluid than in ordinary vaginal secretions. A positive result indicates that amniotic fluid is present in the collected sample and supports rupture of membranes. A negative result makes detected amniotic fluid less likely in that sample, but it does not overrule ongoing symptoms or the clinician's assessment.

Tell the maternity team when the leaking began, whether it was a gush or trickle, its colour and smell, and whether you have bleeding, pain, contractions, fever or reduced fetal movement. Avoid putting tampons or other products into the vagina while awaiting advice. Wear a clean pad if needed so staff can assess ongoing loss.

A clinician collects secretion from the back of the vagina with the supplied sterile swab, extracts the sample in the kit solution, activates the dipstick and reads the control and test lines within the manufacturer's specified window. The control line confirms that the strip ran correctly; an invalid test requires a repeat with a new device.

Contact your maternity unit promptly if you think your waters may be leaking, even if the amount is small or an earlier test was negative. Seek immediate assessment for green, brown, bloody or foul-smelling fluid; fever or chills; severe abdominal pain; regular painful contractions; heavy bleeding; or reduced or absent fetal movement. These signs guide urgency independently of how common membrane rupture is.

Ask whether the test was valid, how the result fits your examination, and whether monitoring or another assessment is needed. If rupture is confirmed, ask how the pregnancy stage, infection signs, contractions and fetal wellbeing shape the plan, including whether observation, medicines or birth planning may be discussed.