[PinkSurvivor]

Has anyone else had low fluid at 19 weeks?

I have a fluid level of 6, and it should be considerably higher than that apparently especially at an early gestation.

The baby is also small, and 3rd percentile. (ETA - bub is now measuring only just 6 days behind so not a concern)

Has anyone with low fluid early on gone on to have a normal full term pregnancy?

This post has been edited by PinkSurvivor: 19/04/2012, 10:10 PM

[minimae]

No advice but just wanted to bump this up and to send my best wishes, I'm sure someone will be along with some words of wisdom shortly.

All the best.

[HSV1986]

Under normal circumstances, the amount of amniotic fluid you have increases until the beginning of your third trimester about 8% of women will experience low levels at some point in their pregnancy


basicly youre levels are still at a point where they are "growing" the doctors will monitor you closely

i had low levels and an iugr baby the doctors suggested to keep things very low impact which ment finishing up work and abstain from sex. i was given steroid injections when things didnt improve then had a ceasar at 33weeks as it became a risk to continue but bub was fine

goodluck with everything

[kalikai]

I had lower fluid levels right throughout my pregnancy up until I delivered at 34 weeks. Initially my pregnancy hormone was charting extremely low and up until week 11 they were doubtful I would keep the pregnancy. Bub was also behind in some measurements and way over in some others. I did have bed rest at some stages of the pregnancy and I was very aware of not overdoing it. Bub is now 11 months old and thriving...huge, strong and healthy. I wish you all the very best. Definitely keep on to your health care professionals if you have ANY queries..... they put my mind at ease many a time.

[MickeyBoo]

I had a scan at 30weeks which showed a fluid level of 7.4, they told me that anything under 5 was their high risk area, but that they liked a level of 10-25 up to 34 weeks as fluid is supposed to keep increasing up to 34 weeks and then start to decrease.

They requested weekly scans over the following two weeks to check fluid and then check fluid levels, growth and placental function. I had the first scan the following week which came back at 8.5 and another the next week which showed levels at 8.0 and bubs growth had slowed considerably from the 98th percentile to the 83rd. She was supposed to put on approx 400gm in that two week period, but looks like she has only gained about 180gm. However she was 2-3 weeks ahead at the 30 week scan so they weren't overly concerned about the growth slowing just yet, but if it continues to slow from now then there is some concern about placental function (more than likely a direct result of the insulin I am on) and they are keeping a close eye on it, as I also have a history of placental deterioration.

They have told me that they like to keep a closer eye on things at this stage and have requested another full growth, fluid and placental function scan for two weeks time when I will be coming up 35 weeks, and we will review growth and fluid levels then, but if the placenta looks like it's working fine and fluid is over 5 then they won't do anything else, I have another scan for two weeks after that at 37 weeks and if bub has slowed down with growth again, fluid has dropped or placenta isn't functioning well then they will make the decision to induce right then, or wait until the following week at 38 weeks when I am booked for induction due to diabetes anyway. In the meantime I have to keep a very close eye on bubs movements and any lapse or significant change I need to go in for monitoring ASAP.

From what I have researched trying to find information on this, there is a possibility of increasing fluid in the second trimester by drinking a lot more water, being on bedrest or resting as much as possible, and stopping all exercise or strenuous activities. In extreme cases where they suspect dehydration as a contributing factor they may admit to hospital and start a drip. They will often offer more regular scans at weekly or fortnightly intervals, ask you to check for any fluid leakage daily, and also ask keep an eye on babies movements. They may also request weekly CTG monitoring sessions to make sure that bubs heart is consistent and there's no signs of distress.

I found a number of forum posts when googling of women at various stages of pregnancy who had low fluid and went on to deliver either a little earlier than expected or at term. It was really a week by week thing and also dependant on other factors like IUGR issues, there wasn't any one set rule about it.

Good Luck!

This post has been edited by MickeyBoo: 16/04/2012, 04:54 PM

[PinkSurvivor]

Thank you so much Mickyboo for your detailed post, its exactly what I've been looking for. Hopefully I can keep the baby in there for at least 12 more weeks so I am 32 weeks.

I see the specialist tomorrow morning so hopefully have more answers then. I'll update.

I have been drinking 4-5 litres a day now which is an increase on my usual 2-3 litres a day. I have been resting more...which isn't really resting as I'm still constantly on the go but I've stopped all strenuous activity and lifting (heaving washing to the line, washng walls, vaccuming, moving furniture to vaccum ect) I am still doing normal light duties such as folding washing, dusting, cooking, dishes and the usual. Hopefully the specialist doesn't say much about that as DH is leaving for work for 5 week starting in two days and I have two 4 and under.....

Thanks as well *Mia_Rose* for the bump

kalikai I am so happy your baby is thriving, its what I like to hear Fingers crossed I can have the same outcome! May I ask why they took bub out early was it just the fluid level and what your water levels were around the 20 weeks mark?

HSV1986 Than you very much for the info Hopefully the PM starts working...

[PinkSurvivor]

Hi Ladies.

I had another scan today and baby is no longer of a size which concerns them as he/she is on the charts and measuring only 6 days behind.

However the fluid is a worry. So much of a worry they are flying me interstate in the next few days to go and see a perinatal specialist at a women's and children's hospital. Which freaks me out. Yes the fluid is low, they estimate it to be between 7-9 which is better than last week when it was a 6.

They said the heart, kidneys, diaphram, brain, spine and everything appear normal. The placenta appears normal. The umbilical cord is functioning and has all the arteries. So why are they in such a panic to send me interstate? They said for their better scanning techniques and specialists.

ANY ADVICE PLEASE!!! I just wish I had a better idea of whats going on.

Also: I had a leakage test today, and I have no fluid leak so thats ruled out.

[Kemma]

Firstly, I am very sorry all this is happening. It's so much stress for one person to bear.

Secondly - this hasn't happened to me - im 34w along abd have had a couple of minor issues along the way - but I'll def be keeping an eye on your thread to make sure everything is ok for you.

Seeing as they are flying you somewhere I guess you are in a small town where certain tests might not be readily available? All the results from your recent test sound very positive don't they? Perhaps this upcoming one is just a double check?