Bad news at 36 week scan - so scared

[worried88]

I had a routine 36 week scan this morning and it picked up some problems. I've been diagnosed with polyhydramnios (deepest pool was 10.6cm). The baby's head is also measuring just above the 97th centile at 355mm, abdominal circumference just below the 97th (although this was not deemed a problem) and everything else was in the normal range. The baby appears to have fluid in the stomach and bladder which means they're swallowing, both kidneys were identified and the heartbeat was normal.

After the sonographer identified the polyhydramnios, I was given a blood test at the hospital and have now been asked to monitor my blood sugar with an AgaMatrix machine for the next three days to check for gestational diabetes.

Eight weeks ago my regular midwife detected a trace of glucose in my wee sample at my 28 week appointment, but it was all clear again at 32 weeks so I assumed it had just been a blip. My 34 week midwife appointment was cancelled due to the coronavirus and was done over the phone instead, so there was no test done at 34 weeks.

I also had a private wellbeing scan done three weeks ago and at that scan, my amniotic fluid was in the normal range. Head circumference was 319mm (compared with 355mm today). I wasn't able to give this information to the hospital today as annoyingly I didn't have my notes with me.

Following today's scan, the hospital have asked me to come in for another scan next week with a consultant at the fetal medicine unit. I'm waiting to hear back from them with a time.

In the meantime though I'm going out of my mind with worry about what all this could mean. It was such a lot to take in that I think a lot of what they were saying went completely over my head as I wasn't really thinking straight.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? I'm so frightened that something is badly wrong.

Hand hold. I know nothing about this but don't want to read and run. xx

It could be that you’ve slipped through the net with potential gestational diabeties, or you may have developed an infection.

Do you know if the growth of baby is within the normal limits or follow their curve on the growth chart?

I wouldn’t worry too much at this stage, you may find that the fluid is normal at next weeks scan. If not, then it’s possible that you may be offered induction.

Just keep an eye on babies movements, record your blood sugars and go from there.

Additionally, you can get a trace of glucose from just having a sugary breakfast, so the result from your 28 week appointment could be a random blip. Did they dip your wee today?

I'd take what they told you at the private scan with a pinch of salt, to be honest. I think they are horrendous and should be banned.

It does sound like you've fallen through the net, but the main thing is that they are now aware, you will get the right treatment. Taking your blood sugars is sensible, and it may also be sensible to watch your carbohydrate intake just in case it is gestational diabetes.

Thanks for the replies.

@BlueCookieMonster I'm not really sure about the growth curves - only that growth has been deemed normal at previous midwife appointments and scans. The baby's estimated weight was just over 5lb at the private scan three weeks ago and today it was estimated at just over 7lb.

The midwife said the glucose trace in my wee sample at 28 weeks was most likely due to eating something sugary, as it had disappeared when she tested again four weeks later.

The hospital didn't do a wee test today - only a blood test. They also gave me the AgaMatrix machine to monitor my blood sugars at home.

I'd take what they told you at the private scan with a pinch of salt, to be honest. I think they are horrendous and should be banned.

@TheFutureMrsHardy The private scan was at the Fetal Medicine Centre in London, who have a really good reputation.

Hi, I had similar when pregnant with my daughter but went on to have a normal delivery and a healthy, normal sized baby. She is 25 now.

It's so hard to not worry but please remember they are keeping a good eye on you and baby.

I had polyhydraminos, mine was seen at 32 weeks. It was 10 cm at term. Dd was born fit and well, I had a vaginal birth with no problems although when my waters went it was spectacular. It was discovered at the birth that I had two membranes and that was thought to be the reason for the polyhydraminos.

I had similar when pregnant with my daughter but went on to have a normal delivery and a healthy, normal sized baby. She is 25 now.

Thanks @Emeeno1 - that is reassuring. I'm going to be out of my mind with worry until I see the consultant - but that could be a week away. I just can't understand how everything has changed so much in the space of three weeks?

My experience with private scans is that they are MUCH BETTER than NHS. Obviously this is not the case for all, but my private scans picked up things the NHS didn't.

As for gestational diabetes, I slipped through the net, despite all the glucose testing, and then it suddenly hit me full force at 40 weeks I had an emergency induction.

But please, my general rule of thumb is if that they aren't keeping you in hospital and getting baby out immediately, then you need to relax. If they were that concerned they would act now

But please, my general rule of thumb is if that they aren't keeping you in hospital and getting baby out immediately, then you need to relax. If they were that concerned they would act now

Thank you @Pentium85 - I have been trying to tell myself that but am struggling not to panic. I wish I'd been able to ask more questions when I was at the hospital, but I was completely overwhelmed. I found it so hard to take it all in without my husband there, although obviously I completely understand why they're not allowing partners at the moment.

@hiredandsqueak that's so good to hear, thank you

I totally understand.

I had a scan during pregnancy that in hindsight I should've asked so many questions in, and I remember sobbing on my way home just a ball of confusion. And I imagine that coupled with the situation right now, added into general hormones, you're a bit WTF is going on.

But when they picked up my gestational diabetes at 40 weeks during a routine appointment , they didn't let me leave the hospital. I was admitted straight onto the ward. That is what they do when it's serious.

You've been allowed to go home. Put a movie on. Get into the bath. Enjoy these precious child-free evenings

I had polyhydramnios, gestational diabetes (injected insulin for several months), severe pre-eclampsia and various other problems with my first-born. I was in hospital for six weeks and induced at 34 weeks. He was also a big bugger - 8lb7oz at 34 weeks! He's 17 now and healthy, bright and a pain in the arse

I know you must be so anxious, and you will be until your baby is safely in your arms, but please try to take it one day at a time and not drive yourself mad with googling and catastrophising. I'm not an obstetrician, but I do know that I and many others have had these same issues picked up on scans and had healthy babies. And you're 36 weeks, even if your baby came a bit early everything would be fine

We had similar at around the same time. I ended up having multiple scans and every time the measurements changed somehow. DD was measuring decidedly average throughout pregnancy then just grew and grew almost off the charts in the last few weeks. The doctors dithered over me delivering early after each scan appointment and I ended up being induced early as she was approaching 10lbs+ very fast. The never really pinned down whether I had too much amniotic fluid in the end.

It was a loooooooooooong induction and DD eventually arrived on her due date via unplanned c section. They did comment repeatedly about the amount of amniotic fluid I had though

Fingers crossed everything is totally ok for you x

I had polyhydramnios mentioned to me at a private 28 week scan and then had a NHS scan to confirm. I had maybe 4 more scans after that on the NHS and each time the fluid level changed dramatically! At 29 weeks my fluid was still high, 32 weeks was normal, 35 weeks was high (deepest pool was 20+ cm) then at 37 weeks it was normal again. So, it's not an exact science and fluid levels change dramatically on any given day. I was measuring big throughout and was monitored, had a GTT done at 28 weeks and it was normal. All scans were normal except from fluid levels. Baby was born by ELC at 39+1 at 9lb 7oz! He was a very big boy but perfectly healthy. My ELC was nothing to do with his size or my fluid level, but I am glad I had one! He is now 4 months old and in age 9-12 month clothes!

Forgot to say DD was only 8lbs 10oz in the end!

@worried88 I had polyhydramnios during my first pregnancy. It was picked up at my 32 week scan. They did tests to see if I had gestational diabetes (I'd already had one test which showed I didn't have it). They never actually found a reason for it. His head was measuring large, when he was born his weight and height were on 75th centile and his head on 95th. He's two now and has a massive head, but so do I compared to my size!

Try not to worry too much. There are all sorts of reasons for excess fluid many of which are not serious or anything to worry about. Write down all the questions you have before your next appointment and make sure they answer them all.

One lighthearted word of warning - they decided they needed to break my waters at the hospital rather than risking them breaking elsewhere and when they did the amount of fluid which came out was honestly astonishing. It just never seemed to stop!! The midwife had to go and change her clothes because she got drenched

I had borderline polyhydramnios with my daughter, when my waters went they spilled over the side of the hospital bed, I also had sugar in my urine a couple of times towards the end (but was never sent for a GD test as my midwife said nothing to worry about) they predicted her to be 9lbs at term, she came out 6lb13oz at 39+6 and was in tiny baby clothes for weeks! She’s now a perfectly healthy and happy 2 1/2 year old!

They measured my first to be a huge baby. Huge 10lbs6oz at 36w. I had no fluid. I was having twice weekly scan (one for fluid, one for growth) for 5 weeks. They finally decided at 36w4d that she was coming after two days of steroids via planned emergency c section. She was a perfect 6lbs12oz baby. I didn't have much fluid but baby was fine.

My dsis had polyhydramnios with my nephew. He’s a healthy toddler now.
I know it’s hard, but try not to worry. I was given very wrong information at a scan with dd. I cried and stressed for a week waiting to be seen by fetal medicine and she’s now a happy healthy 2 year old.

I had polyhydramnios also picked up at my routine 36 week scan (because I was 42). They tested me for gestational diabetes but I didn’t have it. There was a lot of talk about me being induced early and that I would have a huge baby. I was really worried but I ended up being induced on my due date and my ds was 7lb 13 so not huge at all. When they broke my waters my dh said it was amazing there was so much. Everything is fine with my DS who is now 2.5 but I do remember how worried I was and am thinking of you. Take care of yourself and rest as much as you can. Sending all my best wishes for you and your baby.

I had polyhydramnios with 2nd DC. There was lots of talk of baby coming early because if it and being told that if my waters went I had to drop to all fours with my bum in the air and call the hospital!

Baby decided to wait until 40+5. When my waters went it was pretty epic and we couldn't stop laughing at the sheer amount leaving my body.

Baby is fine and doing well. Now 5 months old.

Hi!

You can get the pee sticks on amazon that they use in the midwife appointments! Get some and check yourself, especially if they are doing phone appointments now due to covid.

I never tested positive for gestational diabetes but they suspected I had it but it wasn’t detectable I was quite unwell.

If you check your self through the day with the test sticks and it’s in there then you could just call and advise them Sooner to get things moving

I had a 9lb 11 baby boy by elective cesarian a week and 2 days early at 37+5. I’m very petite and I think they just got a bit concerned about fluid and placenta. They guessed he would be 8.6lbs

If you can depending on your location perhaps just see about getting another private scan done as well in the mean time. I found them a little more informative.

Thank you for sharing your experiences - it's so reassuring to hear that others have been through this and everything has turned out ok.

Is there a chance that the fluid level could return to normal levels of its own accord by the next scan? Or is that unlikely?

I'm praying that I can see the consultant sooner rather than later next week.

If you check your self through the day with the test sticks and it’s in there then you could just call and advise them Sooner to get things moving

Thanks. They've given me a finger prick machine to test with over the next three days and if the readings are over a certain level then I have to let them know. Trouble is I'm in such a panic that I'm struggling to work out the instructions.