Polyhydramnios - scared and tearful

[Firsttimer82]

Had a scan at 29 weeks as BMI is 35 and saw the consultant at 30 weeks who said I had PH. AFI 26.3 - Baby looks normal on the scan and I'm waiting for my viral blood tests to come back. I am a big girl and we have big babies in the family but I'm really scared and tearful. This is my first and an unexpected surprise after expecting to have to do IVF. So worried there is something wrong with the baby. I had a follow up call with a MW who said that they were just being careful. Next scan in 2.5 weeks. I just feel like all the excitement has been taken out of the baby and replaced with worry. I know there are other feeds on this but from years ago, but I was wondering if anyone was going through the same thing now or had any helpful experiences. My tummy isn't hard and i can feel the baby moving. Just really concerned.

[tattyteddy]

Sorry you're going through this OP. I haven't got any experience but didn't want your message to go answered. Hopefully someone with more info will be sling soon. Take care.

[TitusAndromedon]

I'm afraid I can't be of too much help, but I'm 29 weeks with DCDA twins and was told at my most recent growth scan that I have mild polyhydramnios. I have tested negative for gestational diabetes, which can be a cause, and I'm still waiting for my viral infection blood results to come back.

I was stressed at first, but I spoke to a midwife today who said it is unlikely to be anything to worry about at this point. She said that they prefer to have an additional scan as a basis of comparison before they do any further investigations. The sonographer also said that amniotic fluid levels are inconsistent, so it might have simply been higher on that day.

From my reading, it would seem that PH can be something, or it can be nothing. For right now, I would simply try to stay calm and wait and see what happens.

[Firsttimer82]

Thanks for replying both of you. I'm trying to stay calm. Waiting game I guess.

[gamerchick]

I had it with my last baby. A Million scans, an irritable uterus so I was plagued with braxton hicks almost constantly, got really big with the water and induced bang on due date. Apart from getting soaking wet by a waterfall when they broke my waters labour was uneventful and he was perfectly healthy. The more detailed scan is much clearer than the usual. No GD either, it was just put down to one of those things.

Try not to worry, impossible I know but it's not always bad news.

[NewMrsX]

My mum had a similar experience to gamer 5 years ago with my dsis.

She tested negative for diabetes and was told the baby likely had part/all of a tube missing leading from throat to somewhere else (I'm sorry the details are hazy). They told dm surgery would be needed and length of time in hospital was depending on severity of missing piece.

When dsis was born it was like the room had flooded apparently with the amount of waters. She was whisked away immediately to have a tube put down her throat to find out how severe it was. It turned out there was nothing wrong with her and she came home at 3 days old after spending time in scbu for jaundice and to double check she was ok. They never knew the cause of the polyhydramnios.

Best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy

[Firsttimer82]

Thank you very much for your positive stories. Fingers crossed. Will definitely sleep a bit better tonight so thank you. x

[LeonardoAcropolis]

Hello Firsttimer, I had PH with DC1 and it resolved itself before he was born.

[mumsrthebest]

I am 34 weeks pregnant and have PH. It was spotted about 4 weeks ago when I was feeling very breathless and was looking larger than average gestation. I have had 3 extra scans and another due on 7th October. I have had blood tests and the glucose test and everything has come back fine. On my last scan they said that the fluid was just acceptable but it could change depending on how the baby is lying. The baby is developing well and all major organs have been checked. I see a consultant too.

I know several women who have had it and the baby has been fine. When your waters breaks there will be lots.

Try not to worry, I know it's hard because I worried too.

[mumsrthebest]

[gamerchick]

Try not to worry but if they break your waters and put one weeny little pampers mat down..... It's not enough and will go up your back and waterfall off the bed. Take an extra gament to labour in.

[nixpix]

I know it is scary and you will be imagining worst case scenario. Try not to worry. I had this too when I was pregnant 7 years ago. It was flagged up at around 22 weeks and confirmed with consultant at 28 weeks. I was tested twice for GD but negative. I was told that it was probably just a big baby. I had viral infection blood tests which came back negative. The doctor told me that in around 60% of cases it is not caused by anything to worry about. I had detailed scans to check the baby. I remember them saying I had a big placenta which might be giving out lots of amniotic fluid. My son was breech, so I ended up having several scans. I ended up having an elective section as he was breech. There was too much water for him to go down the right way, it was like his own private swimming pool. He could still move about quite freely in there too. My fundal height was 50 cm the week before my due date. I felt enormous. The section went well, I remember there was someone in the theatre mopping up all the water that came out when they cut me open. My baby wasn't overly massive 8lb12, although a week early. I also had a friend who had polyhydramnios, no cause found either for her, she did have a big baby though 10lb 4!

[plonkie]

I'm 39+2 and just been had some blood tests done due to extra fluid too. Find out tomorrow what the results are. I've done loads of reading today and a reassuring stat I found was that a massive 80% of cases of PH are of an unknown cause. It's just the way some womens bodies 'do' pregnancy!

So please don't worry yourself silly op, it really is most likely nothing. The tests they subject us to are mainly just to rule certain things out. Many abnormalities could have been picked up in scans by now, and haven't, so that's a good sign. I know it's hard not to worry though! I've got to ring the hospital tomorrow afternoon to get the results for myself, so I'll be looking at the clock till then!