Polyhydramnios - too much amniotic fluid

[Amelia10]

HI I justed wanted some reassurance and advice on polyhydramnios.

At my 24wk check I was told I was measuring 31 weeks and no more was said - all other checks (B, Fetal heart rate etc were fine).

I have just had my 28 week check and was told that I was big for the number of weeks and had alot of fluid which MW said was Polyhydranios.The only advice she gave was telling me that I must come straight into hospital when my waters go, all my other checks again were fine.

Being me, I have now checked what this is on the internet....and now think that this could be slightly more serious than the MW has led me to believe (increase risk of premature labour, cord prolapse etc) and could be as a result of chromasonal issues, swallowing issues...all sorts that may require a emergency C-section

I feel a bit confused, the MW hasn't fully diagnosed the condition using a scan etc - just gone on me looking big and having a squishy tummy, she also hasn't put it on my notes at all either.

I wanted MN advice am I overreacting here, is this common? or should I push to have this properly diagnosed with a scan so I can better understand what could happen or atleast put my mind at ease. Has anyone else got experience of polyhydramnios?

Her reaction to my huge sqwishy large belly seemed so small that I thought it wasn't a big deal....

I don't have any experience, but if you do a search for polyhydramnios on mumsnet like this]
quite a few threads come up. Good luck, hope you get some reasurrance.

I've been diagnosed with this at 35 weeks.....

I wonder, have you had a GTT? This is the first thing they arranged for me as uncontrolled diabetes can cause it (though apparently not in my case).

My consultant gave me ALL the scare stories without me having to look it up on the net.

Apparently it can result in cord prolapse (hence the getting your arse into hospital if your waters break)....

25% of cases will lead to prem birth, for the rest 'the baby could come any time after 37 weeks'....

Chromosomal issues are unlikely if your abnormality scan was fine... though apparently lots of digestive system issues can only be picked up on a specialist scan. I was told there'd be a paedetrician present at the birth to check baby out straight away and rule these out. No home birth for me then!

I have to say I'm a bit bemused by mine as I actually LOOK quite small for my dates...

On a positive note it can just go away!

Thanks for your advice, I haven't had a GTT, the MW told me i had PH with no diagnosis (scan etc) and left it at that. I haven't been referred for any other tests and she hasn't written anything in my notes about it.

I have a 31wk check up in 3 wks so I will ask the MW about this but I never see the same MW, which is fairly typical in a central london hospital I've been told...

Totally confused at her reaction and lack of formal diagnosis and the fact she hasn't put it in my notes....

At 30 weeks my MW said she felt excess fluid and that I was measuring large, but said nothing else. Like yourself I read up about this and scared myself. I brought my next appointment with her forward to discuss this with her- she sent me to have a scan to check the amniotic fluid and baby size (as measuring 3 weeks larger). Scan was all fine, actually showed normal amount of fluid and just that I have a big baby. Put my mind at rest.

If I were you I would go back and push for a scan. Tell her it's stressing/worrying you and I'#m sure she'll send you for one- that way you know what the real situation is.

Good luck.

I had this though wasn't diagnosed until the birth.

Might be easier if you just ask any questions you have rather than me just telling you what happened.

As already mentioned, the first thing you should be tested for is gestational diabetes as this is one of the main symptoms. Also, this cant really be diagnosed without a scan so push for this to happen.

On a positive notes, I was scanned at 34 weeks and polyhydramnios identified.....AFI levels off the chart! Had all the same concerns re waters breaking/labour risks. Re-scanned at 36 weeks and amniotic fluids well within normal range......so it can right itself. Most of all dont worry!

I had Polyhdramnious last time, baby was fine. I went into prem labour at 28 weeks which was stopped. I then had an irritable uterus after that. I spent most of the rest of the time in hospital everytime BH started as they didn't want my waters going.

I had a 2 week stay at one point as he was transverse breech which really increased the risk of cord prolapse. He came at 37 weeks by c-section, I would of had one anyway as I had 2 previous to that.

So for me it was a pain in the bum.

Someone else in my last anc had it and her baby was born with dogestive issues hence the large amount of fluid her baby couldn't swallow.

In most cases it's fine but you did ask for experiences there is mine sorry!

Well - you asked .....

I had twins and one of the twins had it.

I was told that it could be several things:

• downs
• some kind of muscular dystrophy
• a blockage in the thoat.

From around 28 weeks onwards I had a weekly vaginal scan to check my cervix as they thought my extra size may cause a premature birth

I had a amnio at 32 weeks to rule out the first two.

When they were born (5 weeks early) the affected twin was immediately taken from me and had a tube stuck down is throat - they found nothing.

All turned out to be a horrible scare. It totally took the joy out of the last couple of months of my pregnancy.

But ...... I think justto be sure you ought to get a proper scan done and ask to be seen by a consultant.

Thank you so much for all of your responses

I am going to bring this up at my next MW check and push for the scan to sort out whether I PH or not

Thanks again

Had scan today and don't have PH....seems I have a very large ovarian cyst, 10cm across so am now waiting for consultant to call after having scans.
Thank you to you all for your advice x

Thinking of you and your baby Amelia.