Polyhydramnios for a second time

[FranTan]

Hi All,

Am 28 weeks and got diagnosed with polydramnios today (AFI 29, measuring 32 weeks). LO is measuring big too but thankfully not showing any abnormalities. I had it with my last pregnancy, which resulted in waters breaking spectacularly and a long, hard labour, back-to-back, heamorrhage, distressed baby, episiotomy, forceps delivery, retained placenta and PND. Sure not all of these things were linked but I'm getting some pretty nasty flashbacks right now.

I'm very uncomfortable, stretched and breathless and terrified of the birth. I asked the registrar today about the possiblity and a c-section to mitigate some of the risks and he wasn't keen but said to discuss it with my consultant.

Has anyone else had polyhydramnios and had a positive labour experience or has anyone had a c-section as a result of their diagnosis? I know a c-section won't come without problems but I'm just so scared of a repeat of last time. Also, anyone had polyhydramnios rectify itself (I live in hope!) or found relief from the discomfort?

Many thanks,
Fran x

Hi Fran, not sure how much help I will be but I'm interested in others opinions too. I was diagnosed poly-h at 20 weeks scan with deepest pool 9.6cm, the deepest pool went down at 22wks to 8.9cm, my next scan showed afi at 20.8 (25 wks) and yesterday I booked a private scan which calculated afi at 21cm, I have another scan on monday at nhs hospital where I'll be 28wks. It does seem to have gone down a bit.

Like you it looks like there's no problem with the baby but I can't help worrying about chromosomal disorders. My bump goes rock hard if I walk more than three paces and I've found the only thing that helps is lying down or having a bath. I've also started drinking camomile tea hoping for some help.

I didn't have this with dc1 so no idea what to expect apart from the discomfort and constant worrying about the baby but will update on Monday after scan.

I'm sure you can request a c-section especially with your previous birth, hopefully someone will come and give you more info on this. Have you had a gtt test?

Hi StrawberrytallCAKE,

Sorry to hear you have it too, albeit a mild case. My stomach also goes rock hard when walking and also find that lying down offers some relief. Just had a GTT and came back negative.

I'm finding I'm almost obsessively worrying about the baby and the birth and for some reason keep reading the horror stories online. I'm also very sensitive to comments people make about my size. No I'm not carrying twins and yes, I might be about to pop but it's not because I'm 9 months :-(

The sonographer didn't seem particularly interested yesterday during the growth scan.

Let's see if there are some other watery ladies around who can share their experience.

Hi Fran, I see we have had no more takers as yet! People are constantly making comments on my size too, if I'm being told I'm looking neat then I obsess the sonographer has made a mistake and if big then I generally try to stop myself from crying.

Was the sonographer not interested in the extra water or just generally not interested? They really don't give me any confidence at all in them.

Does your 1st dc like water out of interest?

Hi

I was diagnosed with poly at 30 weeks with a AFI of 44cm!

I did have to have an amnioreduction as a result and felt like a new person afterwards. I too was very big, I could hardly walk due to the extreme back pain as a result of the extra weight.

After the reduction I was down to 32cm and now at 37 weeks the fluid index is normal. Bub is also large in the 97th percentile.

I am due for another sizing scan next week and the doctor says we'll discuss induction which is something I want to avoid.

Best of luck!

Meant to add at this stage all tests for why have come back negative so no GD, no main syndromes detected, no prior infections.

Baby did have chest in his fluid and that was also drained twice. They assume his fluid caused mine.

Have nc as I would be very identifiable from this post!

Developed poly in my second pregnancy. I have T1 diabetes so we assume bad blood sugars led to baby weeing too much, although my diabetes was well controlled in both pregnancies and my first was complication free.

I was officially diagnosed with poly via a scan at 34 weeks, although it had been suspected for 2-3 weeks before that. I had been consistently measuring 4-6 weeks ahead since about 28 weeks. I was very breathless and couldn't sleep because of how breathless I was, I spent a lot of time stretched out on the sofa with cushions behind me and my arms above my head to stretch my chest and lungs out. I could walk short distances fine but if I stood still for any length of time, i could really feel the strain of the weight on my knees and thigh bones. Shockingly I was working in a busy, physical environment up til I was signed off at 34 weeks, measuring 42!

I was already having a repeat cs, but this was bought forwards to 36 weeks due to the poly. I did ask what would have happened if I hadn't had a previous section and was told a cs would still have been safer. elcs went well, there was a lot of fluid all over the floor apparently! Had a small hemmorage in theatre, but it was quickly stopped by the surgeon. I didn't even realise it had happened til afterwards.

Baby was born very large for dates and struggled to establish breathing so spent first 24 hours in NICU. No problems at all after first 24 hours.

I felt truly awful through most of the pregnancy and was pretty upset by how huge I was, but felt amazing and just so relieved just hours after the birth and I'm pleased to report that I'm back to a size 10 three months on. My skin, however, has taken a real battering from all the stretching!

Hi

I had poly-h in my pregnancy with DD (TTC%232 for hundreds of years atm) and despite it being an almost entirely bed based labour due to being monitored throughout my labour went very well.

Having Poly-h doesn't necessarily mean bad labour but I would talk to your consultant as it does sound like you have a lot of unresolved feelings from your last labour

Hi quick post as on my phone and meant to be watching a very boring film with DH.
I had poly h with dc3. Diagnosed at 34 weeks, had to have amnio to rule out other abnormalities as dc3 also was v big. Sorry can't remember any numbers from the measurements now! I begged asked my consultant for a cs but he told me I'd be fine.
Eventually I was induced on my due date as I didn't want the baby to get any bigger. It all went well, v straight forward birth. I'd had a pretty traumatic first delivery like you OP but it really was good. I was glad I didn't push for the cs as I was up and about within 30 mins this time despite dc3 weighing 10lb 6oz.

Some more replies - thanks!

emts - Wow that was a big AFI. I am a real worrier anyway and find myself wondering just how much I've grown over a period of days. It feels like I'm much bigger. Part of me wants another scan to find out and part of me just wants to bury my head in the sand and stop with the investigations.

FieryGingerBeer - the discomfort is very intense. I too can't stand for long periods of time and this morning, my back and legs are killing me after another sleepless night. My stomach is very itchy and sometimes feels like it's on fire. And don't get me started on the breathlessness. I'm pleased to hear the cs worked for you. I shall definitely investigate the possiblity and am scared of a repeat heamorrhage which, I was told by my consultant can happen with poly.

NoMoreMarbles - I'm coming to realise I do have unresolved feelings from my last labour. So much so that I see an inevitablity to it all and a load of docs who aren't taking me seriously. But I do acknowledge most of this is probably my fear which isn't based on reality.

ToothyMcTooth - thanks for the reassuring account.

Just wondering - all these babies which measured big, did they have huge abdominal circumferences? Just like last dc, this one has a big belly.

F x

I had polyhydramnios with both my pregnancies but it was severe with DC2.

I did have an elective c-section because I had a 3rd degree tear with DC1, plus polyh plus baby big for dates. The c-section was straightforward but part of me wishes I'd opted for natural delivery. Now pg with DC3 and have been told I will probably have it again. I am going to push for a VBAC because I've spoken to lots of midwives and they've said that a vaginal birth should be absolutely fine with slightly more monitoring.

FranTan, I think you should take your fear seriously as fear and anxiety is not good for you or baby and it definitely won't help if you do opt for natural delivery - it's a difficult enough situation as it is! That being said I would encourage you to get help before making your birth choices, once you're not pregnant you might think about things differently. I know that I did. I made a decision to have an elective c/s out of fear, not because it was the 'best' birth choice. Have you thought about having hypnotherapy or counselling?

Because of my polyh my abdominal muscles separated and wouldn't come back together. I ended up having abdominal surgery to fix it. I came across the Tupler Technique just after and it seems fab. Definitely going to try it this time. I know that you can get the DVDs and splints in this country from here (I'm not affiliated to them in any way btw, but I did buy the abdominal rehab dvd for after my surgery and it was good.)

Try not to stress ... Your AFI peaks at about 30 weeks then tapers off - I am sure you are fine. If your carers were concerned they would be monitoring it closely or if it was excessive like me they'd be wanting you to have a reduction.

To answer your other question re size the head of my bub and the abdominal circumference - at this stage the head is slightly bigger.

All the best and trust that if it were serious it would be taken seriously by your carers ... Take care :)

For me - dc3 had a v big head, much bigger than stomach hence the amnio. Although DH and dc1 also have been blessed in that dept
My water def went down so by the end I was only borderline poly h but oh my word when they broke my waters (which was the only thing they did to 'induce' me) it was like a bath had been emptied onto the bed.

Like the others have said don't think your fears are silly, it's important to feel listened to and as much as possible feel in control of your labour. However don't assume that a cs is always the easiest option. I also had an episiotomy, then a tear anyway, forceps etc there were 13 people in the room when I delivered dc1 'naturally'. I was desperate for a cs with dc2 but there were no indications for it. I had a fab natural delivery, admittedly it was quick (4 hrs from first twinge) but it was empowering and really healing. And although I did hope for a cs with dc3 as she was my last and I wanted to arrange childcare around it I'm glad I did it naturally. As one of my consultants said; with vb there is a chance of stitches and discomfort afterwards but with cs it is certain. Of course I know I was v fortunate to have two positive experiences and I did have clearly written in my notes that I wanted to move to cs quickly should any problems arise.
I cried when they put me in stirrups for dc3 as they thought they'd need forceps. I swear it was that alone that gave me the determination to make one big push

Thanks again - reading your posts has actually made me cry (through relief and fear) but then today has not been a good day. I know now I must take my fear seriously and yes, I think I would choose cs as it might seem the easier option. Am sure those who have had cs would tell me otherwise. I know labour is just that - very hard work - but there was nothing positive about the birth, zilch - and so - I can't see it working any other way next time. But your posts have reassured me otherwise. I take it there were no cord prolapses among you all?

I need to do something as I'm such a miserable cow at the moment, which must be such fun for dh and ds. Dh works away during the week, making his weekends at home precious. He's a goodun but I must be mindful that others have it worse than me and I can't really be crying because my abdominal skin hurts and I'm hot!

ICompletelyKnow - I shall look into this technique, thanks, as I seem to remember a midwife last time saying something about my muscles being knackered by the polyh.
F x

Oh and I almost forgot to ask - did anyone leave on mat leave early? I've already brought it forwards to 34 weeks but might go earlier as I can't see me lasting until then if it continues...

Hi Fran! Just to update you my fluid has gone up to 22.8 so still not lots more but my consultant has suggested I have steroid injections to mature the baby's lungs and told me there is not a chance I will go to term even if they have to induce me...which has sent me in to a bit of a panic.

He also said it is very very unlikely there is any problem with the baby, polyhydramnios is often without cause and they have checked the baby. I have to go back in two weeks.

Hope you're ok, don't worry about feeling sorry for yourself it isn't fun at all. x

I had it with my last 2. I measured 47 weeks at 37 I had to give up work early as was so big,had spd and ended up with an elective section at 38wks. They rode the tsunami when they broke my waters.
Im ok now though but the belly is proving stubborn even after 18 months
Both my babies were fine btw.

Oh yes I was signed off from 32-37 weeks then took my leave,it worked out well.

I had an elective c section, following 3 weeks in hospital. I found it an excellent experience. Good luck.

Hi StrawberrytallCAKE,

Thanks for your update. Great news the baby is looking ok and I guess it's good your consultant is being cautious. I have assumed mine will not want to intervene (previous experience with DS1 and a gut instinct) but my levels are much higher than yours so I think I will ask him about the steriods when I speak to him on Monday.

F x

Hi ledkr, civilfawlty,

Thanks for your experiences. I'm trying not to project ahead too much and assume that it will all follow an inevitable path. When I was 37 weeks with ds1, I measured 45 weeks. How can we get so big?! Glad to know that it's possible to have a good experience.

Am looking for some hypnobirthing literature at the mo to combat the negativity.

F x

Hello,
I am 30 weeks and have deepest pool of 12cm. It has been confirmed that I have gestational diabetes since.....
I am just still worried that the extra fluid may be due to something else....like a subtle defect....all my scans have shown swallowing etc...stomach fine, but am still worried.

anyone had both poly and DG? what happened to your levels with you stopped sugar intake? as I dont feel any smaller yet after a week of low sugar diet.

Lou
thanks all

also, have people had level 1 and level scans when they say their baby has been checked? i have had numerous level 1's both private and nhs but not a level 2 yet?

thanks for any responses.

l

Lou2377 - Sorry but can't help on thr DG front. What are level 1 and 2 scans? Is one more detailed than the other?