Polyhydramnios - Experiences Please

[VodkaGirl77]

Hi

I've been diagnosed with polyhydramnios today at 28+6. I was measured at 33 weeks fundal height on Wednesday and booked in for scan today as midwife was concerned about size of baby. As it turns out the baby seems to be completely average sized according to the sonographer's measurements, but I have an AFI of 25.4 and have been booked in to see a consultant on Monday at 10am as there was no one there to see me today.

I am trying not to stress as I realise there is no point, as there is nothing I can do until Monday. I also have scared myself a bit by googling, so was hoping for some of your experiences if possible as to what might happen next.

Also baby is currently transverse - is it likely to move around with the amount of fluid in there?

Thanks in advance

Oh also just thought to say I have already had GTT which came back fine. Had this due to my dd2 being 9lb 7oz at birth. This is also why midwife was concerned about size of baby.

I've polyhydramnios at 38 weeks (was diagnosed about four weeks ago, although its probably been an issue for much longer). 25.4 is really marginal so try not to worry yourself too much, especially as the vast majority of marginal cases are due to absolutely nothing (if you have it severely it's much more likely to have a medical cause).

Transverse baby isn't really an issue at your stage, babies are in all sorts of positions. The best thing that can happen is for your fluid levels to go down (happens alot) and baby to get into position. If he/she doesn't you may end up spending te last few weeks of your pregnancy in hospital because of the risk of cord prolapse.

My baby has just about managed to engage him/herself and so that isn't my fate, but they won't let me go past term (in fact I've been booked in for an induction at 39+6)..... the other risk with PH is pre-term labour, but again, with such a marginal reading this is unlikely (although apparently baby can turn up any time from 37 weeks).....

If you've any other questions I might be able to help with do ask. And don't google; most of the 'issues' associated with PH would have seen an AFI of 35+......

Sxxx

I was diagnosed with this - also marginal - at 37 weeks, baby was also transverse. I was admitted to the ante-natal ward to await a planned cs. (Risk of cord prolapse if my waters broke was the reason they gave me.)

I spent 2 weeks there, and did the nil by mouth, sleepless night thing, only to find that baby had gone head down. They sent me home.

However, after another 2 weeks at home, I ended up being induced at 41 weeks. Baby never moved down and I ended up with an emcs. Not sure if this was to do with PH or just one of those induction risks though...

Dd is 6.5 and both her and me were perfectly fine afterwards. No clue what caused the polyhydramnios. I too was clear for GTT.

With the benefit of hindsight, I would have insisted on carrying on with the planned section though.

At your stage the baby will most likely move around lots still.

Hi

Thanks for your responses and your positive experiences.

Is the fluid likely to increase? I already feel like I'm about to pop. Also have/did either of you have increased Braxton Hicks - have been getting them since 20 weeks, they are quite frequent, especially on an evening and pretty uncomfortable - just wondered if they might be related.

Thanks again

Yes BH are more common, frequent and painfull with PH as the uterus is more irratable.

I spent the last 2 weeks of my last pregnancy in hospital with it due to transverse lie and risk of CP.

Hi again VG.....

There's not really any saying whether the fluid will increase. If you've had a big baby before it may well be a function of another big baby (I know the measurements are normal at the moment but he/she won't have had his/her growth spurt yet) in which case it's likely to remain fairly stable.

Work out statrategies to deal with it.... I had awful heartburn and insisted on keep trying to eat normally with horrid results (I basically cried for about ten days!!)....

I've had plenty of BH's but this is my first pregnancy so I've nothing to compare to. May be worth telling your consultant on Monday though as given the risk of pre-term labour with PH it does suggest your body is starting to get ready for labour rather on the early side.

If you're worried about the congenital risks associated with PH you can always request a detailed scan for them to check stuff out. My last one showed the LO had a full bladder which was very reassuring as it means the PH is unlikely to be a result of a blockage in his/her system.

Also worth making plans in case your LO is an unstable lie. If so they're likely to take you into hospital because of the cord prolapse risk (as others have mentioned).... they'll want to try and wait until baby gets its head down and then induce too, because the risk of CS related bleeding is much higher with PH (basically because your uterus is so much more distended).

Oh and I was neg on the GTT too. I'm 5"11 though so it looks like my body is just ripe for growing a big baby....

Can't think of anything else, and I'm blathering.... I'm sure your consultant will put your mind at rest.

Oh BTW you weren't considering a home birth I hope?
xxx

Hi Pamplemousse and thanks again for your response. This is my third pg (1st with new partner) and definitely noticed the increased BHs so will definitely mention that to the consultant on Monday.

I will also discuss getting a more detailed scan as well, although the sonographer did have another thorough look at the baby yesterday.

I'm only 5'2", so look a bit like a weeble at the moment - people have gasped in horror when I've told them I have another three months to go! At least I've got a reason for that now.

No, I wasn't considering home birth this time - was due to have home birth with dd2, but ended up in hospital due to failure to progress and then ended up giving birth to her half an hour after arrival at hospital!

I'll definitely update on Monday. Hope all goes well with your induction in a couple of weeks!

Hi bexxaa and thanks for your reply

I don't know what the deepest pool was, as sonographer hasn't marked it on my notes.

Yes, levels were all fine at 20 weeks.

Yes I have had gasps of shock when I've told people I've got another three months to go! But at least I have an explanation now.

I was in the same position as you but at 32 weeks. Had a scan as my BMI was 35 at booking but fundal height was fine. Baby was average, my AGI was 25.5 and baby was transverse at the top of my bump.

Had another scan at 36 weeks and baby is slightly larger but fluid levels back to normal and baby is head down. They did say that the baby is more able to move around because of the higher fluid levels and because its my second everything is a bit more relaxed.

I did do a lot of inversions from the spinning babies website but at my 34 weeks check up with the midwife she was convinced he was head down already.

As pamplem0usse mentioned I was told that if the position of the baby hadn't changed they would have wanted me to go in before due date and wait but luckily looks like I will be ok, 38 weeks on Tues and still head down :)

At 32 weeks I was in the same position as you at 28 and my consultant really wasn't worried about it, it was me that stressed a lot! The levels of fluid are controlled by the baby in the last trimester so I suppose it could go up. I am convinced my baby was drinking a lot as he was getting hiccups 3-4 times a day and when I went back the levels were normal (probably not the most scientific explaination!).

Good luck with your consultant on Monday and try not to worry.

I was undiagnosed poly.

I looked ready to pop from 6 months onwards and by 34 weeks the midwives started wincing whenever they saw me.

They were mostly concerned that I was going to have an enormous baby and I had 3 late scans at 35, 36 and 37 weeks where sonographers promised be a 12lbs plus baby (was a little scared tbh).

I had 2 GGTs (as they just couldn't believe I wasn't diabetic ).

However DD turned out to be 9.5lbs and the rest was just massive amounts of fluid which came gushing out like a tsunami to the horror of the midwife (cue concern about cord compression and about 20 people wanting to put a hand up my fanjo....).

Despite best efforts and 52hrs of active labour I just couldn't push DD out and it was decided that an EM CS was best.

DD was and is perfect and it seems there is not much knowledge out there in terms of why a lot of ladies end up with poly in the last 3 months of pregnancy. But it would seem that it hasn't got anything to do with the health of the baby at all.

Try not to worry (easier said than done...).

At least your poly is diagnosed which saves you the unpleasant surprise during labour and the scary prospect of being told you're "definetely having a 12lbs baby"....

Hi

Just thought I'd update after my consultant appointment today.

Consultant doesn't seem too worried with my AFI of 25.4 - apparently over 28 is where they would really worry. They have taken some blood and are going to do a TORCH screen, which is obviously a concern. I have been booked back into clinic for next Monday for the blood test results and to measure me and decide on the need for a further scan, so will see what happens at that point.

Thanks for all your input everyone and I will update again next week.

Glad the consultants appointment went well VG and it's great that you're being monitored so well. Try not to worry too much about the TORCH screen, they're obviously just being very careful and taking all necessary precautions!

Will be thinking of you / checking for updates :)

Sxx

Hi

Quick update from me and all good news

Saw consultant today - TORCH screen all clear - such a relief! Measured fundal height and is still 33cm - same as it was two weeks ago, so growth seems to have stopped. So, don't have to go back to hospital until 36 weeks - obviously with the warning that if my waters go before then, then I must go to hospital immediately.

I'm seeing my midwife next week, so guessing she will keep an eye on me as well and if I get any more huge measurements presume she will send me back for scan.

Am so happy. pamplem0usse really hoping all goes well with your induction, if it hasn't happened already! Let me know how you get on x