Panicking gran to be

[moggiek]

My son and his partner are in their early thirties, and expecting their first baby. When they visited the midwife last Friday, she said she couldn't tell the position of the baby because there is too much fluid. She is 29 weeks. The midwife asked if all the diagnostic tests (sorry, I don't know what they are) had been normal (they had) and left it at that. Its been so long since I had a baby, I don't remember if this is something to worry about, but I'm doing it anyway ...

I'm 29 weeks tomorrow. I saw my midwife on Friday and she wasn't bothered at all about the position of the baby. She told me that it'll be at my 31 week check up that she'll start looking at that.

From what I can tell from reading/talking to others, babies still have plently of room to manoeuvre at this stage and can change position lots. Once things get more cramped and it gets closer to full term, position becomes more important.

I honestly don't think it's anything to worry about at the moment! Congrats on impending grandmotherhood!

If you're worried about the too much fluid bit don't. They'll keep measuring her bump at the routine tests and if she's measuring really big for dates they'll send her for a scan to work out which way up the baby is, usually at around 36 weeks. Until then there's is enough room for baby to turn anyway.

I think there's an association between lots of fluid and gestational diabetes (at least I have GD and they've been monitoring my fluid levels too). But they'll have been checking her urine for sugar and will send her for a glucose tolerance test if they are at all worried.

I'm 30 weeks and baby spent half of last week one way and half the other. She can probably tell by which end of the bumps get the hardest kicks but as there isn't much that can be done about it there's no point trying too hard.

Honestly try not to worry, it won't change anything and if they know you're worrying then it might not help your son and his partner. I know my mum is a worrier and I've almost felt guilty sometimes for not having the perfect pregnancy.

Thank you both so much. I just can't remember much about these things now, and Googling was scaring the life out of me!

Step away from google! You know it's dangerous!

Congratulations. I'm sure everything will be fine.

moggiek you must learn the all important rule, never google!

I never always end up googling & scaring myself silly!

Congratulations on your future Grandmotherhood!

I had polyhydramnios - way too much amniotic fluid. When my DS was born, I had about 2 1/2 litres (you're supposed to have 800ml). I had loads of scans and weekly AN visits in the last month or so, had to have a CS because the baby wouldn't engage and they were really scared of my waters breaking, but it was all fine and he is a very happy healthy little boy now.

If your DIL is being well cared for then there is little to be concerned about, even if she does end up the size of a house like I did :o