Low water levels...possiblity of being induced?

[Annpan88]

Hey...basically after a few midwife appointments where my stomach was measured I was sent to a growth scan.

Baby is normal size but my water levels are quite low. They checked and it appeared that my waters had not broken, and they didn't know why levels were low, maybe baby had swallowed water and not passed any urine, and I was booked in for a scan 2 weeks later (which is this wednesday) and if my water levels are still low theres a possiblity that I might be induced.

I've just been thinking about it and I'm not really sure what the chances of being induced are. I've been thinking all week that it wasn't very likely as my waters haven't gone but then I was thinking the growth has been monitered over weeks as being below average which means possibley it wasn't just a one time thing and maybe my water is generally low.

Basically I was just wondering if anyone else had been in this situation as hospital staff never want to say anything that might worry you but if there is a high chance of being induced on wednesday then I want to know, but without getting all excited and nervous incase I'm not.

Thanks...sorry if that made no sense! Also I will be 36 1/2 weeks preg on weds

hiya, i haven't been in your position, but just bumping for you in the hope someone who has will see this!

aww Thaks your a star!

Hi Annpan88,

I haven't been in your position exactly, but thought I would reply incase it helps somewhat...

I went into triage to be checked out 3 days before my due date as I had reduced fetal movement and they thought it best I came in to get checked over. The midwife sent me for a scan as she was concerned my bump was on the small side (hadn't been mentioned before) and when scanned there were no measurable fluid pools to be found - I know my waters hadn't gone.

The consultant came to see me and said they were going to induce me straight away to be on the safe side. They were concerned it hadn't been picked up on before and said I should have had a scan at 36 weeks to make sure baby was still on track growing right and again perhaps at 38 weeks. But as I hadn't and they didn't know whether baby had stopped growing, it was safer to induce.

I think it is all to do with monitoring the baby to check that s/he is still growing that will be the importance of the scan. They say that the fluid levels go up and down throughout the pregnancy (repleneshing themselves) so with this scan they can keep an eye on whether yours have increased and whether the baby has sufficiently grown since your last scan, iyswim?

I suppose they were so quick with my induction as bambino was practically due, but I would ensure your hospital bag is packed by wednesday just incase! - I had convinced myself I would be 2 weeks overdue and hadn't packed a thing!

Sorry I haven't really answered your question, I hope your scan shows baby has grown even if fluid levels have remained low and that you don't have to be induced, but please be glad it has been picked up on and you are being monitored for it - they will know what's best to do come wednesday.

Blethering now, sorry. Take care, Lisa

Thank you! Was indeed helpful :)

Hi Annpan, I had something similar. Had low water levels from about 30 weeks onwards and they scanned me every week. They were going to induce at 38/39 weeks but at 35 weeks they decided to induce me as they'd got even lower.

However it took nearly a week, steroid injections to mature baby's lungs, and three failed inductions before they finally decided on a (fairly) non-emergency C-section! So worth bearing in mind that just because they start inducing doesn't mean it'll happen anytime soon!

Apparently low fluid levels sometimes just happen for no apparent reason. My DS was a healthy (for 36 weeks) 6lb 8oz and has thrived ever since (He's now a very shouty 4 month old!)

Good luck with everything! :)

BTW - they seemed mainly concerned that there was lots of baby movement - which there was. Would agree that reduced movement may flag up more urgency.