Low amniotic fluid index - any experiences?

[shelley72]

I went for a scan yesterday (37wks) as baby is breech. I had previously had a growth scan about 4 weeks ago as was measuring small for dates - something in itself that I am not overly worried about as I tend to have smaller babies.

But yesterday they were concerned as the AFI has dropped from about 8 to 5 - the cord was checked and that still has good flow. Has anyone had this? Is it anything i have done to the baby? Is there anything I can do to help?

I made the mistake of googling and now i am worried about all sorts of potential problems with the baby...

My fluid levels were very low with ds1 from about 28 weeks onwards, he has 1 kidney and there were concerns that it wasn't functioning properly at the time - he is a very healthy, happy almost-5 year old now. They monitored me closely but didn't do anything. They never discovered why it was low.
Ds2 turned breech late, I had an ecv and a week later a scan to check his position (so about 38 1/2 weeks I think). At this point my fluid level was low again despite being fine the week before. He was born at term and is very healthy too.

My Afi never got above 4 for the last 3 months of my first pregnancy, try not to worry.

I think mine was about 5 with DD1. Had various scans of blood flow through placenta, all good. I was having growth scans due to other reasons, and she was delivered at 37 weeks as it looked like she had stopped growing, but the consultant who made the call was massively in two minds about it, as she appeared healthy in all respects. She was dinky when she was born but had no problems. Course its nothing you have done. What is the plan? Will they scan again? Do they want any monitoring? Am sure all is fine but if you are worried, ask for close monitorinf. Good luck.

thanks for the replies. yes they will scan again at the end of this week. i had a previous growth scan about 4 weeks ago as the hospital MW disagreed with my CMW bump measurements. and all was fine then, though my fluid has since reduced.

i was undecided as to whether to VBAC or not as i have had an ELCS for breech last time round and a VB before that. but as this one is also breech that decision seems to be made for me. they are talking about a CS in a week or so. would rather get to term if poss and then section but that depends on how the baby is doing at the next scan.