Low fluid level

[DearDinah]

Was told yesterday the fluid around baby is a little low & I'm to go back for a scan next week. I'm 34+4
Does anyone know what this means and is there anything I can do to help it?

I can mean nothing but if it gets too low it can cause problems problems with growth.

I had Oligohydramnios in my last PG from 9w gestation, and was told there is nothing medically they can do to really improve besides adding saline(?) to the aminotic fluid but even that is only temporary. They say increasing your own fluid helps but doesn't make a noticable difference - however it did for me and was put on an IV then oral hydration diet (2 litres every hour! )

Saying that, I don't want to scare you! You're lucky that you are so far along that any (if any!) problems would be minor unlike if you were in early weeks of pregnancy. Don't worry too much as there's nothing much you can do. Drink plenty of water and take it easy then see what your next scan says.

Thank you for the reply, I'm sorry you had it so early in your pregnancy, I'm paranoid at this late stage!
I'll up my fluid intake & hope for the best.

I was told my fluid was really low with dd2

They were really concerened but offered no advice

By the time I had her I was the size if a whale and only had a small baby so it must have replenished somehow.

My theory was they caught it at a "bad time" had the scan been a week before/later it wouldn't have been picked up.

Don't panic, see what happens at next scan

Nothing wrong with paranoids but it's great that they're monitoring you to see for changes.

My levels rose and dropped quickly and constantly, add to very low iron levels requiring transfuction, which made my levels worse before they got better. My ds was born early and with problems due to this but he is now 10m old and doing very well :)

As always you feel hopeless in these situations because there's nothing they actually can do but wait. Fluid levels can rise and drop and never be picked up unless you get unlucky and drop on it on a scan or there is a problem with baby, so it's great they've caught it now :) Good luck with your scan! :)

Had the same issue with DD1. Lots of monitoring, lots of fuss. Finally they decided she'd stopped growing at 39 weeks. Went into spontaneous labour the night before.

She was 6lb 2oz and is now a very strapping and kind 16y - she's just made lunch!

I strongly suspect DD2 had exactly the same problems, but I had laid back MW who didn't care about bump size. She was born at home at 39+5 and only 6lb6oz.

As a teen she's the dainty one!

Thank you! Hoping it was just a low day, fingers crossed Friday they will have topped up a bit! If not do you think they would be likely to want to induce?

If it's dangerously low and it's stunting the babies growth or looks like it could cause the baby problems then I'd expect them to consult you on whether to induce or have a c-section otherwise they'll just continue to monitor you until you go into labor and take it on day to day basis kinda thing.

You can have low/normal levels of amniotic fluid. Also, from 36 weeks it gradually decreases until you give birth.

Good luck :)

Thank you, they said they weren't overly concerned so I must be only just below the 'normal' level. That's encouraging. X

Ive had this with both my pregnancies, first was induced at 38 weeks and second was induced at 36weeks. Its so scary to find out but doctors were amazing and made sure lots of monitoring was done. Both of my babies are very healthy , no problems at all. There is light at the end of the tunnel :). Try and enjoy your pregnancy as much as you can as i felt mine was rushed as soon as i was diagnosed. Xx

You're welcome, dear. :) Please let us know how you get on on Friday and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that it was a "bad day" and it has improved :) xx