Low fluid at 35 weeks

[Sultanainasalad]

Yesterday I had a growth scan at 35 weeks. Baby looks fine, but they were concerned about low fluid and too high heartbeat. I had a non stress test to check the heartbeat and they seemed happy enough. I have to come back next Friday for another scan to check the fluid level (& then every week until baby is here).

But the thing is, for about the last week, (tmi sorry) I’ve had a lot of ‘wetness’ down below. I’ve been wearing a pad, or changing my underwear up to 3/4 times a day. I assumed it was urine, but could it be fluid? Can fluid leak very slowly? I’m obviously kicking myself for not having said this to the doctor yesterday. As I’m having a scan next Friday should I just leave it till then, or should I contact my mid wife on Monday?

Thanks for any thoughts

I've had a lot "wetness" and was worried about it being amniotic fluid although fluid levels have always been fine on scans. I bought amniosense from boots (£30 for 12 liners) which change colour if it detects amniotic fluid instead of urine or normal discharge. Not cheap but worth it for my piece of mind.

Thanks Broxi, I hadn't given it any thought until they said my fluid was low. I'll check out those liners - good tip!

I would definitely phone your MW on Monday if they've said you have low fluid and the fact you are actually noticing it. You don't want to leave it too long, always better getting advice x x

Hi OP, I’ve had constant wetness since about 16 weeks - enough to soak through underwear. The aminosense pads detected something so ended up getting tested and all was fine/scan showed no issues. Just heavy discharge.

Given concerns though I would have a chat with your midwife. Good luck!! :)

Hi OP. I had low fluid and then wetness. Was sent to doc - they can check if it's wee/sweat or fluid - it wasn't for me. I was told that the later stages of pregnancy having wet knickers was quite common. Could always call and see if they say to come in ? I ended up being induced with A low AFI

Hi OP this was picked up in my pregnancy last year. If you call Midwife/foetal team and tell them, there is a Swob test they can do which tells you if you are leaking fluid. I had it done and it was all clear (however I think my fluid was basically gone by this point) .

I was picked up at 34/35 weeks and I was induced at 38 weeks because of it and actually my little girl is 1 today!! I put of induction for 2 weeks as when I asked what was the harm in not having fluid, they said none. The issue was that they didn’t know why there was no fluid and so if there was an issue it was better dealt with being born. However for 2 weeks I felt she was better inside as there was still some fluid and it wasn’t changing much.
However pressure of being the one to count the movements, being the only one to be able to do this, I was also more aware of getting my belly bumped as she had no protection from fluid, all became to much and so o agreed to induction. She was a totally normal baby. She did have an infection so had antibiotics for a week. Which makes me think even more that my waters had been leaking slowly.

So try not to worry too much as this late on In pregnancy, what they said to me was it may just be the way you carrry Babies. But do contact Midwife for amniotic fluid test.

Did you mention this when you had the scan/appointment?
You really need to speak yo your maternity/triage/assessment unit today -
mention the low fluid on scan and that you've been feeling the wetness for last week. You can have a 'hindwater leak' and this could be slow like you have mentioned. (Although as others have said it can be quite normal at this stage to have leaking urine or increased discharge - however it's difficult to tell this yourself)
They potentially might want you to have antibiotics as there is an infection risk to baby if your waters have gone.
The maternity department will be able to advise on all this so just give them a call.

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to respond. On Saturday it felt like quite a constant on-going dampening. I decided I'll call my midwife first thing Monday morning. Of course on Sunday it was fine all day! I'll still call this morning just in case.
Thanks again

Yes. Please do ring later on today

How did you get on?