Polyhydramnios

[FluidBelly]

Regular poster but have NC for this one as don't want it linked to my other posts really.

I had Polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) picked up at 27 weeks. AFI of 29 or thereabouts. I've been having weekly scans since and the fluid has stayed high.

So far I haven't really had a lot of information - they did a GTT/torch screen/checked stomach kidneys etc on the scan and all seemed fine, so there is no cause that has been picked up - just told every week that it is still high and to come back next week for another scan, and repeat.

I spoke to my midwife at my 31 week appointment and she didn't really have much information either (she's quite junior and hadn't seen it much) but did mention increased risk for early labour and cord prolapse which obviously weren't great to hear (but I had seen on Dr Google). She said it might be that when my waters break I have to go straight in to hospital but again nothing concrete.

I'm only 32 weeks so have some time (hopefully!) but was just wondering if anyone had any experience of this and what it meant for their pregnancy/labour if anything?

Have you had some kind of trisomy testing / has that been ruled out?

I’ve got it too. I was supposed to being induced this morning but no room at the inn, so now first in tomorrow.
I have had all the same tests as you, nothing showing up. In my case they think it is hereditary, my mum and nan both had a lot of water. When they were pregnant they didn’t know until the waters break.
I was told as soon as waters go, must go straight to the hospital.
I’m being induced because of it. I’ve got to 37+4 just so uncomfortable which is why I’m being induced.

I had it with my first, I did lose my waters before labour started rather than other way, and I lost them at 35 weeks (labour started the following day) so I'd ensure hospital bag etc is ready earlier rather than later, if your waters go call hospital and go straight in but there's every chance you'll get to term and the stats show its most likely one of those things

I had it with my last pregnancy. I begged to be induced on my due date. No physical cause was found. It was a relief when the waters were broken though.

If your waters go you must go to hospital as the extra water can prolapse the cord which is an emergency but other than that just try and keep comfortable as you can.

Mine was only picked up at 36 weeks, and even then was not very severe but it still meant they did all the tests, took me through the risks etc and wanted to induce me at 39 weeks.

One sensible consultant scanned me and said in her opinion it was a variant of normal for me. All tests came back fine. I had a feeling I was absolutely fine and the excess water was nothing to worry about. So I declined being induced early and demanded to be “allowed” to go to 41+3 before induction like everyone else.

I had a spontaneous labour and DD was born at 41+1 so wasn’t early at all. As they hadn’t found a cause for my polyhydramnios they needed to take baby to neonatal and pass a tube down her throat and do a scan to make sure her digestive system was working ok (straight after Birth). She was fine. Something to be aware of or ask whether they will do This. I was prepared for it as they warned me in advance. But it was still difficult having baby taken away as I was waiting to go to theatre to be stitched so couldn’t go with her to wait for her test. They wouldn’t let me try and breastfeed her until she had had this test (she needed an empty stomach) so that’s worth bearing in mind if they do say they need to test baby’s digestive system straight after birth.

My midwife advised me if my waters broke to have a feel myself whether the cord was coming out. Then on all fours with head down bum up call ambulance.

Definitely push for more information. Ask loads of questions. Don’t be fobbed off. If asking about the risk of something ask for actual statistics. I found the vague “there is a risk of cord prolapse” very frustrating as they weren’t telling me how great the risk was.

Good luck OP!

I had this with my last pregnancy.
Yes your cord could prolapse if your waters go, I was told to go on all fours and stick your bum in the air while you wait for an ambulance. (Great view for them lol)
Mine caused me to have an irritable uterus and I kept going in and out of labor, I'm not telling you this to worry you, just make sure you ring your maternity ward if your not sure if it's contractions or Braxtons. I had to be rushed for an emergency C-section in the end because I went in to labor again, she was transverse and never engaged due to extra the fluid. They never found a reason for mine. Hope it goes well for you xx

Thanks for all of your replies - really really useful I had read about the bum in the air thing actually! At the next scan I'm going to push to speak to someone - not getting fobbed off for a fifth time!!!

Mine caused me to have an irritable uterus

This is why I begged to be induced.

I had this with my first and my waters measured 30cm. Normal is 20cm. I had a sweep at 38 weeks 4 days and had him the next day my waters went while I was asleep in bed. Luckily everything was fine but I understand your concern as it can complicate things. I had no reason for it either and I didnt have it with my 2nd pregnancy.