Polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid)

[KatamariDamacy]

Anyone had this? I've just had it confirmed at 35 weeks after it being suspected for a while. I'm waiting for a consultant appointment next week but worried about what it'll mean for labour and delivery. I was planning a homebirth

[Lbee123]

I've been having growth scans since 28 weeks due to this. I've been under consultant care since, I did the gtt twice but was fine both times so they have just kept an eye on it.

I did have a sweep at 38 weeks and another yesterday to try and get things moving though. I'm also being induced tomorrow at 40+1 as the consultant didn't feel comfortable with me going over but I suppose you could maybe ask for monitoring instead?

How severe are you?

[dottiek]

Hi

I have this too - it was diagnosed last week and I am waiting to hear back for a consultants appointment. My AFI level was 23cm which (according to Google) isn't technically polyhydramnios as I think that is above 24cm. The baby also has an abdominal circumference on the 95th centile. The sonographer mentioned diabetes but I had a glucose tolerance test 2 weeks ago and that was fine.

I wanted to go to the midwife led unit but suspect I won't be allowed. You must be upset if they stop your plan for a home birth.

I feel a bit in limbo until I get to speak to the consultant especially after googling polyhydramnios.

[AhSureIMightAsWell]

I had this but turned out I had GD. I was monitored and had planned section at 38 weeks. Section was for other health reasons though. They'll keep an eye on you and your baby but may not advise a home birth. Good luck.

[goodbyeyellowbrickroad]

I've got this at the moment. I'm 39+3 but had it diagnosed at 36 weeks after being referred for a growth scan due to measuring ahead of dates and a negative GTT. Have you had a GTT?

Like you I was planning a home birth but am now under consultant led care. I've seen 2 different consultants in the space of 2 weeks and have had 2 totally different opinions. First was all set to recommend an ELCS if I hadn't gone into labour naturally by my due date and adamant that I would be allowed to go past 40 weeks. Second consultant seemed much less concerned and is letting me go past 40 weeks with no interventions planned at the moment.

[Writtenbyme]

I had this. It was confirmed at about 33 weeks and if I recall correctly I was measuring full term at that point. I was therefore told I could go into labour at any point. I didn't and was induced at over 41 weeks.

The implications were that they kept a closer eye on me (fortnightly appointments with consultant) and I was refused the water birth I wanted. The baby also somersaulted up to about 38 weeks as there was so much water to do so!

[KatamariDamacy]

Afi was 28.8 the other day so not severe. I've had a gtt that was fine.

This is baby 3 - both my previous children were breech until 38-39 weeks (and this one is too at the moment). Also, neither we're anywhere near engaging until I was in labour, and labour began with waters going out of the blue both times. Worried about cord prolapse too.

Lots of different experiences...

[TheTravellingLemon]

I had this too and it also turned out to be GD. I think I had it with DC1 too, though it was undiagnosed. Csections both times I'm afraid. The baby was just floating around in there and never engaged. Good luck. I suspect they may advise against a home birth.

[KatamariDamacy]

Dammit. I had a traumatic labour with dc1, so chose to homebirth with dc2. Don't think I can face another complex labour.

[gunting]

I had this. No GD.

I was under consultant care anyway but I was allowed to go over. My waters broke at 40+8 and leaked for 20 hours. I went into labour after 16hr of leaking and ds was born after 4 hours of labour at a hefty 10lb 6. He's fine and the labour was too so try not to worry.

[KatamariDamacy]

Thanks gunting. I'm not terribly good at uncertainty

[goodbyeyellowbrickroad]

OP, I'm so with you on not being good with uncertainty. I'm so anxious about going into labour as the baby's head and abdomen are on the 97th centile. I'm seeing my midwife this afternoon and fear that I'm just going to burst into tears as I just feel so frustrated after 2 totally different opinions from the consultants.

[KatamariDamacy]

Bursting into tears is good sometimes. It's a stressful time at the best of times, yellow. and and hope it goes well this afternoon.

[TheDisillusionedAnarchist]

I had moderate polyhydramnious due to DD's chromosomal condition. I was very worried about cord prolapse and she wasn't engaged when I was induced but actually it helped labour.

I felt the urge to push, the waters burst and then DD's head hit the cervix, they said I was 3cm but it seems that the waters had opened the cervix then when they burst the cervix contracted back down. Four contractions later DD was born (first baby) so 15 minutes total.

[KatamariDamacy]

Wow Anarchist, super speedy!

How did you get on with the midwife, yellow?

[goodbyeyellowbrickroad]

Wasn't my usual midwife which was a bit disappointing. She was in agreement with the second opinion I'd had which is not to intervene at the moment. She wouldn't do a sweep as the head isn't engaged so it's a case of wait and see. She did give me some advice on birthing positions to help a big head come out!

Back to the consultant on Thursday if nothing has happened by then.

[KatamariDamacy]

I hate waiting and seeing