Low amniotic fluid levels

[Madratlady]

I've just had a growth scan (28+0, first pregnancy, growth scans due to low BMI) and have been told that fluid levels are low (on the lowest centile) and that I'm at risk of having a small or premature baby.

What exactly does this mean? How worried do I need to be?

I've also been told that because I work 48 hours a week in a busy job which I'm struggling with because of SPD (and skipping my breaks to keep on top of my work because SPD is slowing me down and making it take longer to do everything) then I should think about working less. The consultant suggested I get signed off and rest a bit but I'd rather not, I'd lose earnings as I've only worked there for a couple of months and wouldn't get sick pay, and also we're short staffed anyway and they'd struggle to cover my shifts.

Will I be ok to carry on working? Will that actually make a difference?

Actually having checked I might be eligible for SSP but it's not much and I'd still rather work.

I had this with my 4th baby. The hospital did regular scans and ctg traces of the baby. I was then induced at 37 weeks. The only thing you can really do is make sure you are well nourished and drink plenty of fluids. Regards working I would suggest you take advice from your midwife and doctors. Good luck!

So is it likely that he will be born early or that he'll be induced if fluid levels remain low?

I'm going to wait and see what my next scan is like but if it's still showing that fluid is low I might have to ask for some time off, maybe see if they'd let me take it as annual leave rather than going off sick.

The dr can do you a fit note saying you shouldn't be working more than, say, 35 hours a week, rather than actually signing you off ill. How many hours does your contract say that you work?

I'm contracted to work 44 hours a week, shifts are 12 hours with 1 hour unpaid break. I could drop a shift if I really needed to but things have been quite difficult financially this year (I lost my job at 8 weeks pregnant and didn't start my new one till 18 weeks) so I could do with the pay from the next couple of months to make sure we're completely financially stable before I start maternity leave, especially as I'll then be on MA.

The fluids can replenish themselves so hopefully this is what happens. I would take the advice of the consultant and rest as much as possible. having a premature baby is emotionally draining and if I could possibly avoid it I would do everything I could to.

I had twins last years and at 34 weeks ones of them had no fluid, they were born by c section the next day, however, 34 weeks gestation is very different to 28 weeks.

They're rescanning next friday so if it's still low and she's still advising I cut back on work I will do. I can't see my manager till monday at the earliest. It's my weekend on duty and I have monday and tuesday off. I can at least give them some warning that I might need to cut back or take time off then. I do like my job so i don't want to just go off sick and leave them short staffed if I can help it.

In the meantime I'm going to drink lots in case hydration affects fluid levels and try to make sure I get my breaks at work and rest lots after work and on my days off.

The consultant was mentioning the risk of him being early as something that could happen if my fluid levels remained low or dropped rather than something that is likely to happen very soon.