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Original poster

Help please oligohydramnios

67 replies

scaredbaby2 · 04/08/2023 21:46

At 20+2 weeks pregnant I was told I have oligohydramnios (only 20+6 now). Doctor has said there is nothing they can do and won't know if baby will survive until born as lungs may or may not develop. They do not want to monitor and I'm told no tests to at least get an idea if lungs are developing so I can prepare. Offered no emotional support either.

Has anyone got any experience with this? Should they monitor? Are there any tests?

Basically been told my baby will likely die when born. Am I just supposed to go through the rest of my pregnancy with no answers or support? What do I tell my two existing young children if I come home from hospital with no baby in a few months time?

OP posts:
BoobyDazzler · 12/10/2023 16:05

Oh how lovely ❤️ Congratulations 🎉

BovrilonToast · 12/10/2023 15:33

Congratulations, so pleased to read your update!

Keyworks · 12/10/2023 10:41

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Vgbeat · 11/10/2023 23:46

Congratulations. Hope little one is OK x

hopsalong · 11/10/2023 23:16

Congratulations!

itendswithus · 11/10/2023 23:14

Ah congratulations OP!!! X

Original poster
scaredbaby2 · 11/10/2023 22:58

thekingfisher · 11/10/2023 21:20

Congratulations 🎉

Thank you ❤️

OP posts:
thekingfisher · 11/10/2023 21:20

Congratulations 🎉

Original poster
scaredbaby2 · 11/10/2023 21:16

Thank you for everyone that gave advice and well wishes. My last update was meant to say 26 weeks + 3 days, not 24.

So my waters did break, I had a few hospital stays and then had my baby early hours yesterday morning weighing 3lbs 4ozs at 30 weeks plus 3 days. She is doing well right now, came of cpap today whilst I was there. Will see tomorrow if she's managed to stay off 🤞🏻

Thank you again everyone

OP posts:
NeedTheSeaside · 02/09/2023 19:10

Just wanted to say I'm thinking of you and your baby. Xx

NameChangeEmbarressed · 02/09/2023 19:06

Thinking of you OP. Hope you and baby are doing well

Keyworks · 29/08/2023 16:56

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

NameChangeEmbarressed · 29/08/2023 13:54

Wishing you and baby the best OP xx

BeansMeansBeans · 29/08/2023 12:59

Oh OP, hope everything is going ok. Flowers

fungibletoken · 29/08/2023 12:59

Wishing you all the very best, OP - one step at a time 💐

andleow · 29/08/2023 12:52

Oh goodness op, are you at the hospital? I hope they are looking after you.

Original poster
scaredbaby2 · 29/08/2023 09:32

24+3 now and think waters have just broken Sad

OP posts:
someonethatyoulovetoomuch · 13/08/2023 21:38

scaredbaby2 · 13/08/2023 19:14

Hi, I just wanted to thank you for this advice. After speaking to pals I will now have weekly monitoring at fetal wellbeing, with appointments at certain weeks at fetal medicine. I will also see a paediatrician from 26 weeks for what will happen following birth.

Thank you everyone for the support and advice

Show quote history

That’s great, so happy I could help. I hope everything goes well for you & your babe xxx

Original poster
scaredbaby2 · 13/08/2023 19:14

someonethatyoulovetoomuch · 05/08/2023 20:57

Find out how to contact either PALS or the Head of Midwifery at your unit, ideally both, tell them what has happened and also that you have no continuity of midwife support. They will look into it urgently for you and help ensure a decent plan of care is made, I’m a midwife and the care you have received isn’t good enough. You need a proper care plan and yes they do need to be monitoring you closely and offering actual support. Don’t feel bad for making a complaint, it’s the quickest way to get things done if you can contact the HoM directly. Wishing you & your baby well xxx

Hi, I just wanted to thank you for this advice. After speaking to pals I will now have weekly monitoring at fetal wellbeing, with appointments at certain weeks at fetal medicine. I will also see a paediatrician from 26 weeks for what will happen following birth.

Thank you everyone for the support and advice

OP posts:
Yellowlegobrick · 05/08/2023 21:14

My experience of fetal med is that they can be basically quite doom and gloom up to 24 weeks as survival probability is low and there's just not really anything they can do. I think it comes from a place of not wanting to create false hope, but they should 100% be supporting and monitoring you. I had poor growth at 20 week scan and they were quite negative about prospects, but did monitor me fortnightly and they got much more cheery/faintly optimistic from 26 weeks on.

She was born 34 weeks. Small but fine.

ThreeLittleDots · 05/08/2023 21:06

This is good advice from someonethatyoulovetoomuch

If you call the number for delivery suite in your notes, the ward clerk or lead midwife on duty will put you in touch with help and support.

someonethatyoulovetoomuch · 05/08/2023 20:57

Find out how to contact either PALS or the Head of Midwifery at your unit, ideally both, tell them what has happened and also that you have no continuity of midwife support. They will look into it urgently for you and help ensure a decent plan of care is made, I’m a midwife and the care you have received isn’t good enough. You need a proper care plan and yes they do need to be monitoring you closely and offering actual support. Don’t feel bad for making a complaint, it’s the quickest way to get things done if you can contact the HoM directly. Wishing you & your baby well xxx

SJR86 · 05/08/2023 20:52

I was diagnosed with oligohydramnios at my 20 week scan with my last pregnancy. Like you I googled it and found nothing but sad stories.

We were monitored by fetal medicine for a few weeks and they came to the conclusion it was one of those things with no obvious cause (my waters hadn't broken early to my knowledge etc).
My daughter made an early arrival at 36 weeks, she did need some initial help with breathing for a few minutes (but this was down to a quick labour) and we stayed in for a week or so with jaundice. The oligohydramnios does not seem to have had any effect on her development. She's now nearly three and has hit all her milestones.

I do remember how stressful it was but I wanted to share that it doesn't always end sadly.

Original poster
scaredbaby2 · 05/08/2023 20:31

BoobyDazzler · 05/08/2023 08:55

You poor thing. It’s terrifying isn’t it :(

I had a complete Pprom at 21 weeks with my son and was on bed rest until he was delivered by emcs at 27 weeks due to an abruption. I was monitored all the way through with weekly scans and blood tests and also on prophylactic antibiotics. There was never any fluid on the scans and we too were told he probably wouldn’t survive due to lung development issues and could have other structure abnormalities due to being squashed, but he’s now a big strapping teenager with no issues whatsoever apart from being a stroppy git!

It’s really hard for you because there isn’t anything you or the doctors can do, you just have to look after yourself and try and stay positive.

Look after yourself and maybe have a look at some of the pprom resources online - I think there was a good Facebook group back in the day. Good luck x

It's great to hear that there is some chance of survival, a lot of the stories I've read about low fluid at this stage don't seem to end well. I'll have a look at the resources you've mentioned thank you.

Thank you everyone for the kind words. I think I will call the doctors first thing on Monday as suggested to see what support can be offered. Is there any way I can convince them to monitor me regularly?

I cried properly for the first time last night, couldn't hold it in any more. I have two children already and I'm worried about what I'm going to tell them as at this stage they know I'm pregnant and are 5 and 3.

OP posts:
BoobyDazzler · 05/08/2023 08:55

You poor thing. It’s terrifying isn’t it :(

I had a complete Pprom at 21 weeks with my son and was on bed rest until he was delivered by emcs at 27 weeks due to an abruption. I was monitored all the way through with weekly scans and blood tests and also on prophylactic antibiotics. There was never any fluid on the scans and we too were told he probably wouldn’t survive due to lung development issues and could have other structure abnormalities due to being squashed, but he’s now a big strapping teenager with no issues whatsoever apart from being a stroppy git!

It’s really hard for you because there isn’t anything you or the doctors can do, you just have to look after yourself and try and stay positive.

Look after yourself and maybe have a look at some of the pprom resources online - I think there was a good Facebook group back in the day. Good luck x