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Pregnancy

Positive Polyhydramnios Stories

24 replies

Chocoholic26 · 17/04/2015 19:11

Hi there

So to add to the never ending pregnancy symptom list, I had a growth scan yesterday (measuring 42 weeks and 38) and turns out I have too much fluid. Consultant says I have Polyhydramnios. Apparently the normal for pools of fluid is 8-10cm and my deepest pool 10.1cm. Baby seems healthy and growing well so not too concerned about him/her but just worried about this extra fluid. I was kept in last night and observed and when consultant came round this morning said that head was 3/5 engaged so I could go home and if waters break it should be fine. Just wondering if anyone else has had this and had a positive outcome. Was baby ok? Did your waters go early? I understand there is a risk of cord prolapse but as head is engaged they seem happy to just leave me. Got another consultant app on Thuraday to reassess then. I'd like to be induced as this worry is stressing me out, but I guess I should just listen to doctors. Any experiences greatly appreciated xx

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lithiumfear · 17/04/2015 19:19

Yes with DD1 I had this. I had polyhydramnios throughout the pregnancy, and she was also very large. They were so concerned they repeated the glucose tolerance test several times, convinced I must have gestational diabetes (I didn't).

From just under 34 weeks I was admitted to hospital, as she was breech, and with polyhydramnios there is a greater risk of PROM, which in the case of a breech baby would be catastrophic.

She was delivered by emergency caesarean at 38 weeks, and was pretty big.

I also had it at the beginning of my pregnancy with DD2. It continued until I had a fall, after which the fluid reduced dramatically, and though on the low side, still fell within 'normal' limits (which is absolutely bullshit, because polyhydramnios doesn't just go down to almost low levels of fluid!!!! Stupid bloody doctors!!!! Angry Sad

As your baby is engaged then the risk of cord prolapse has passed.

Good luck!

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Chocoholic26 · 17/04/2015 19:25

Thanks lithium, it's helpful to hear about others. Were your babies both ok? I feel a bit deflated as yesterday one consultant said they would induce and the other today said it would be fine. Hopefully they will do something on Thursday. Also do you know what your fluid levels were? X

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iwantavuvezela · 17/04/2015 19:28

Me! She is now happily bouncing outside on a trampoline! DD ended up very average in size (scan predicted large). I think the only thing I would say is that when your waters break be prepared for er um lots of it! I managed to go through all my post baby sanitary ware I had bought in a few hours! Other than that there were no problems, hospital was aware of it, but no associated problems. Personally, I would follow the advice of the doctors.
I am so glad that when I had it the DR mentioned it to me as excess water, I had no real idea what it meant and stopped me worrying unnecessarily. (Or googling!)
Good luck, I am sure that it will all work out well.

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lithiumfear · 17/04/2015 19:33

No Chocoholic, I was 37 weeks pregnant, and due to go in to have a scheduled caesarean (DD2 was also breech), when I noticed reduced movements. I went to hospital, and a portable scanner revealed no heartbeat. The next morning a full scan revealed she had no fluid at all. She had the cord wrapped round her neck, and a true knot in it. The polyhdramnios prevented this causing damage - losing the fluid killed her. This was just days after the scan showing the fluid levels had dropped xx

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Chocoholic26 · 17/04/2015 19:43

Thanks iwantavuvezela, glad all was normal for you. Do you know what your fluid levels were at all? I'm just a worrier and hoping things will be ok.

Oh lithium I am so sorry for your loss. Do you think it was the fall that caused it when you lost your waters? Can't begin to imagine how difficult it must have been/ is for you xx

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seaoflove · 17/04/2015 19:48

I was borderline at 29 weeks (8cm). Consultant didn't seem that bothered, although sent me for a GTT even though there was no evidence I was diabetic (and I wasn't!). Just had another growth scan at 35 weeks and the fluid seems to have reduced to a more normal level (around 6cm) and nor is baby looking large, which is good.

I think one of the main concerns with polyhydramnios, from the baby's POV, is why is there so much fluid? Baby controls the fluid levels by swallowing it and processing it, so there's always a concern re. baby's stomach with polyhydramnios. But if the stomach has been seen on the ultrasound and looks normal there's apparently not too much to worry about there. The next worry is waters breaking and cord prolapse, which as lithium says, shouldn't be a problem if the head has engaged.

I get the impression that sometimes, it's just something that happens, and baby is totally fine at the end of it.

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seaoflove · 17/04/2015 19:49

I'm still measuring consistently four weeks ahead, and have been for ages, btw Smile

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iwantavuvezela · 17/04/2015 19:54

Choc I'm not sure, but I was tested for diabetes due to the growth of my DD during scans. I do understand your worrying, it is difficult, I was also told I would be induced by a certain day, but I went into labour about a day before this would have happened. You will be in good hands with your consultant.

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insanityscatching · 17/04/2015 19:57

I had polyhydraminos, it was picked up when I was 32 weeks. I had 12cm of water. I had extra scans because it can be a marker for a cleft palate or neurological problemsand gestational diabetes. Dd was born at term plus 3, my waters went in a spectacular fashion, weighing 7lb 8oz. Dd is a delight, she also has autism like my son who I didn't have polyhydraminos with.

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poppetina · 17/04/2015 20:03

I had this with both pregnancies. First time I had it more severely, I was massive! But went 12 days overdue, baby was only 7lbs 7 and no cord prolapse. I did have other issues though - I think he had too much room to move around, iyswim, so didn't engage properly, and tried to come out in a silly way, so I ended up with an emcs. Second pregnancy, DD still started off with a slight malpresentation but worked her way round and I had a vbac.
Googling it shows some horribly worrying things, so try not to!

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ChocolateBiscuitCake · 17/04/2015 20:08

I had undiagnosed polyhydramnios with DS (ELCS). He ended up in special care as couldn't breathe because of all the fluid in the lungs. At this point they also had to rule out infections and congenital diseases. It was very upsetting to not have him with me for the first 24 hours as I had never factored this outcome into an ELCS.

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WheresMeJumperOhNo · 17/04/2015 20:12

I had polyhydramnios in my second pregnancy, diagnosed at 37 weeks after I stopped feeling my baby move. Scans showed he was moving around, but there was so much fluid I couldn't really feel it.
I'd had a caesarean for DS1 so I had existing scarring to the uterus etc and after 5 days of going in for daily monitoring they suggested another caesarean may be a good option to prevent any further pressure to the scar (fine by me, I wanted an elective section anyway!) They estimated the baby to be around 14lbs! He was born at almost 38 weeks at 8lbs and has had no health problems; however, once he was delivered he was taken by paediatrics to check his oesophagus for any blockages that may have caused the polyhydramnios. They didn't find anything, though.
Best of luck

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AnythingNotEverything · 17/04/2015 20:25

I had polyhydramnios in my 2nd pg. Diagnosed at about 31 weeks. Had TORCH screening and a GTT which were all fine. I had a (failed) sweep at 40+5 but DD wasn't engaged (not unusual with subsequent pgs) so they had nothing to push against apparently. Wanted me back in the next day for induction.

DD born at 40+6. Didn't need induction as I was 4cm on arrival at hospital after nothing more than a bit of backache. I measured 53cm. I had ARM. Quite spectacular. Bit of a flood tbh. DD was almost 10lb (but not much bigger than DC1). She's absolutely fine.

Pg again and was measuring 30 weeks at 28 so having a scan next week to have a look. I suspect I'm just a bit fat tbh.

I believe it's normally just one of those things. Don't worry.

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Justusemyname · 17/04/2015 20:28

I had polyh. Undiagnosed until cut open. My advice is to keep a very very close eye on the babies movements and in there is any change at all go to hospital.

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Chocoholic26 · 17/04/2015 21:32

Thanks ladies for advice. Will kee an eye on movements. Baby seems quite happy, so hoping I'm just marginally over the normal and all will be well. Pregnancy is just full of worries isn't it xx

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Chocoholic26 · 18/04/2015 23:08

Just bumping this in case of any more experiences of this? Need to stop worrying myself sick :( xx

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22Dee · 18/04/2015 23:33

im the same measuring 44weeks at 38weeks deepest pool 10.3. im also age 42!

i havent been called in to be monitored i dont understand why they monitored you and not me.

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22Dee · 18/04/2015 23:35

oh just to add. im awaiting blood test rezults. also at growth scan last week he was supposedly 9lb3. but their measurements are often off

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22Dee · 18/04/2015 23:42

oh and im sposed to be ok for the mlu. then one consiltant said delivery ward till i played my face now back to mlu. notes said induce at 40+ 10days which i hadnt agreed to so i pulled them up on that too so theyve took it off notes now!

level of incompetence is the most worrying aspect out of all of it!

ive consented to sweep next week and to c section but nothing else.

do your homework n dont let them bully u into things u dont want! scans and estimates are notoriously wrong they are airing on the side of caution thats all they arent hods they dont know it all

oh gets me so mad

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NewMrsX · 19/04/2015 00:01

My mum had this with dsis. She was told dsis didn't have the tube from throat to stomach (maybe?) that caused it and was told to prepare for several months in hospital after the birth with ops to repair it. They didn't know how bad it would be.

She was home within 4 days with nothing wrong, just a bit of jaundice. She's 4 now. The only thing dm noticed different about her was she ate solids a lot later than most as she used to gag on everything but she's fine now. Good luck Flowers

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PrimalLass · 19/04/2015 00:37

I did. DS was nearly 11lb plus I had extra fluid so you can imagine how large I looked Grin

He was born by emergency c after stopping breathing.

Reading this thread has enabled me to piece done stuff together nearly 10 years on Confused

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Justusemyname · 19/04/2015 06:43

Please don't be somfocusssednon the soft focus birth that you miss that polyh can be serious. My baby was in real trouble and would not have survived a vaginal birth. it only became apparent he needed to be out urgently after a growth scan. This was the day after a midwife had dismissed my concerns about the lack of movements and while I was waiting for results of a test for obstetric Cholestasis.

He wasn't breathing when born and had to have several interventions. He is fine now but for three days I thought he was going to die as no one told me otherwise.

Please keep an eye on movements. It is pure luck he hung on for another 24 hours and that I saw a second midwife and a good sonographer that saved him.

Take care and I hope all goes well for all of you.

Btw he was predicted to be 8-9lbs. He wasn't even seven.

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Chocoholic26 · 19/04/2015 16:54

Hi 22dee. Doesn't sound good but then I'm hoping that 10.3 is classed as mild? My consultant seemed to think 8-10 deepest pool is normal so I'm hoping 10.1 is mild. All I seem to do is worry myself by looking at the worst possible scenarios. Thanks newmrs glad it was a good outcome for you. Ive got a consultant app tomorrow so going to see what they say. Feeling anxious xx

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Justusemyname · 22/04/2015 17:38

How are you choc?

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