low amniotic fluid

[Mum2be79]

I went for a scan yesterday to check the position of the placenta. All fine - 8cm away.

I asked the sonographer about the baby's growth because everyone says my bump is neat, all front, I'm all baby and I've only put on 4kg in weight. (I am 36 weeks and 6 days today). The sonographer said they weren't checking that today.

However, they must have been because after the midwife saw me the consultant came in and said that my amniotic fluid was low (still within normal range) and the baby seemed to be on the small side (still within normal range - the report said 5th-50th percentile). The consultant measured my fundal height and she said it was 35cm (when it should be nearer to 37cm). I was told that it was minor as they like to allow 3cm either side.

I'm back in for a growth scan next Friday.

What can it mean if amniotic fluid is low and baby's growth is 'small' - especially this late stage of pregnancy?
Will it be likely that if the next scan shows no improvements (or a fall again in fluid) that I'll be induced?
I'll be 37 + 5 at my next scan.

Initially I wasn't worried but on thinking about my discharge, it is a little watery. On top of that I do have GBS. Seeing the MW on Wednesday as well.

If they said it's nothing to worry about then try not to. I had this at a scan at 36 wks (last preg), I also felt my bump had dropped and seemed smaller. I kept a check on movements and after a couple of days worried as movements had slowed. They monitored then re scanned me and said I must have had a slow leak so kept me in and I had DD the next day. I think babies come in all different sizes so wouldn't worry there but if things don't feel right tell them and go with your instincts!

Thanks. Apparently I researched AFI on my notes (I thought it referred to my placenta) and it's the total fluid around baby. 8cm is right on the borderline.

Baby very active today. I suppose I'll know more on Friday.

Thanks for the reply.

5th to 50th centile just means below average not small. We have customised growth charts here and my first was born at 40 weeks on the 10th centile line which for a woman of my height was 6lb15oz!!! Please remember that the centiles are based on normal healthy babies and that 45% of babies are between 5 and 50th that's nearly half.

Oops. I rechecked my notes and the percentile refers to the amniotic fluid. I've done some research and it's just borderline - that's all. I'm wondering if they're rechecking because I haven't been at all well for the past 6 weeks with viruses, raised BP, GBS etc, etc.

I was measuring small in my last pregnancy, and also had low amniotic fluid, dd was a good 6lb 14. There's evidence that if you drink 2 litres of fluid a day, amniotic fluid measurements improve. There doesn't seem to be any evidence of low amniotic fluid per se causing any problems.

If everything's been going smoothly up till now I don't think there's any reason to worry. Good luck.