Late Severe Polyhydramnios diagnosis

[Danielle1311]

Last week DH and I went to see the midwife and were told that my fundal height was measuring 40/41 at 36 weeks pregnant.

We told her that at our 33 week appointment another midwife told us we were measuring at 37 weeks & we knew baby was a big boy. The midwife said that the other lady had not noted this down (she noted that I was 34cm!). Turns out the first midwife should have referred me to hospital and hadn’t. So the second midwife made us attend a growth scan, we had the appointment yesterday. The sonographer commented on how large I was looking (as most people do) and we were joking about our wee tank of a boy! The sonographers face dropped as she took the fluid measurement.
I’ve attached a photo of the graph. The fluid max AFI should be 24/25 and I’m measuring 37.

We had to see a consultant who explained that there was little to be done now and that it’s good that baby is big because he’s managing to keep himself in place. She also said he hopefully has avoided risks and that it’s remarkable I’ve got to 37 weeks pregnant. I understand that there is some give in these situations but we (especially DH) are quite shocked that something was wrong. I’d been very poorly, sore and struggling - I thought I was being a wimp for many weeks and could barely get through a day without feeling low from how difficult I was finding this pregnancy. To hear that there was an underlying reason makes me feel so numb.

I’ve been told that if I go into labour then I have to be mindful of cord prolapse and a few other problems... hopefully logic helps me out over panic when I do go into labour!

He is also back-to-back and has never been in the right position this entire pregnancy. I also understand the “wait and see” thinking but now I have severe polyhydramnios and a back to back baby with a very large head (see charts).

My husband is adamant we should press for something to happen now but I would really appreciate opinions beforehand. I don’t want to cause such a fuss and trust that all will turn out ok - am I being too soft?

Thank you in advance.

What does your husband want to happen?

I don't think anyone here either could or should advise you compared to the medical professionals who have the details, know best practice and are involved in your care.

Consultants are not shy about intervening if there are significant risks. I imagine you have more monitoring arranged so I would discuss any concerns with them.

Hi, no advice for you but just thought I’d share my experience as it sounds similar and all worked out fine.

I was diagnosed with polyhydramnious at 36 weeks and was told I was measuring 2 weeks ahead. Also told she was a ‘big baby’. My consultant made me come in for weekly growth scans and decided that if nothing had happened by my due date they wanted to induce me, which I agreed to. The pessary had barely been put in and my waters broke on their own (so much water!) 8 hours of labour later I had my 8lb 2oz baby girl, despite being told she would be close to 10lb. I agree with the poster above- speak to your consultant about your worries or concerns, hope everything goes ok x

Perhaps I should reword to say that I’d love to hear about anyone who has had a similar experience and how labour was.

My husband is just wanting them to get the wee one out now and I’m trying to reason with him. His opinion is that there has been so much miscommunication that he isn’t convinced that just hoping for the best is the right thing to do.

He wants to phone up the hospital but I’m trying to reason with him before causing any trouble. He’s normally incredibly calm and easy going but this has riled him up.

Thank you

The consultant is presumably now leading on your care and has all the information. Honestly, if the consultant thought risk to you or baby could be reduced by getting baby out ASAP, they'd be talking to you about induction @ 37 weeks or C-section already. Consultants really aren't natural birth advocates by any means and a CS or induction has risks too, which would need to be balanced by advantages before they would agree.

We have a complicated situation where I am currently staying with my in-laws (as of last Friday when we moved to theirs). This whole pregnancy we have seen consultants and midwives in two different regions. This has meant that there are twice as many notes and there have been lots of different people involved.
The consultant we saw on Monday was new - in fact, it was her first day. Hopefully we will see the same consultant from now on (however long it takes for baby to appear).

I contacted the main midwife I saw back home and she gave a very honest opinion (which has helped!). The combination of big head, back-to-back and too much fluid is not great. However, because it hasn't been picked up on until so late, there is just nothing to be done other than proceed as normal.

A c-section is not something I would want but my MIL and DH are pushing because it seems (to them) to be the best solution. The main trouble is really that I do think just carrying on is best and them thinking I'm not challenging the situation enough (which as a mum-to-be is not a nice feeling!). The midwife said that the c-section is potentially more risky, given the situation. This has helped settle DH and MIL, for now!

As I am now 37 weeks, I can at least know that baby should be fully developed and just hope that the labour doesn't throw up the complications that are implied.

I understand your husband's fears but you are right to go with the plan. I had polyhydramnios in my last pregnancy and begged for an induction on my due date as I just couldn't cope with the irritable uterus part. Almost constant Braxton Hicks and being so big just isn't cricket man. Once they broke my waters I was so much more comfortable.

If your waters break you must go straight in but other than that it's just carry on as you have been. There's nothing much more you can do.

Update: saw consultant on Thursday and ended the day with a baby boy. It was decided to do a c-section there and then. His head seemed lodged and it was very unlikely he would turn from the back to back position (so induction would likely have resulted in a section anyway).

He has been in intensive care since then - despite being 4 weeks early, he weighed over 8lbs and he really struggled to push out all the extra fluid in his larger lungs. Normally after a section a baby might struggle to breathe because they haven’t had the fluid squeezed out of them as they would during vaginal birth. However, his head position and the severe polyhydramnios made this much worse and the long stint in intensive care would not normally have happened given his size and the section. He is progressing well and his respiratory levels are slowly improving.

Thank you for the advice, it was very much appreciated.

Congratulations! Glad to hear that he's doing well

Oh wow, what a very sudden turn of events. I bet your feet haven't touched the floor.

Wishing your boy a speedy recovery.

Oh gosh, I'm glad he is getting better. How scary it must have been for you. Hope that's he's fully well and home soon. Xx

Congratulations! Hope you are all ok and home and settled soon xx