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Pregnancy

too much amniotic fluid - what does this mean?

13 replies

UrsulaSings · 14/07/2020 10:19

I had a scan 2 weeks ago as I was admitted to hospital with signs of premature labour and reduced movements. At the scan the deepest pool of amniotic fluid was measured at 8.1cm which apparently is .1 over the max level it should be of 8cm.

I am due today to go for another scan to measure it, then another in 2 weeks time.

Noone is telling me why this might be a problem though. Is this a problem? They just keep saying it's nothing to worry about, but if that was the case then why am I having scans every 2 weeks!? I researched it myself as noone is telling me and apparently increased amniotic fluid is called polyhydramnios and one of the possible causes of this is a genetic condition with the baby. If this is the case then why has noone said this to me!?

I'm wondering whether I should insist to see someone today to explain to me what is happening as I dont understand why I'm having to have all this monitoring. I have a consultant appointment in a months time but I cant wait that long wondering if theres something wrong and not knowing why I need extra monitoring.

Do you think that would be unreasonable to ask to speak to someone for them to explain it to me?

Does anyone understand what this means and why I need extra monitoring and if it means something is wrong?

My scan is at 1.30pm. Thank you.

OP posts:

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muststopeatingfroyo · 14/07/2020 11:38

I have no idea I'm afraid but bumping for you. Hope you get some answers today

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viques · 14/07/2020 11:44

Not at all unreasonable, they have given you information, you don't understand it, of course you are worried, and doing what everyone says not to do but everyone does which is google and scare yourself.

I don't think the sonographer will tell you much as they probably dont have access to your full notes but I think you should phone your midwife and ask for some clarification.

I hope everything is fine and they are just being overcautious, which is usually the case.

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Apsh2020 · 14/07/2020 14:17

I am measuring big waters and same thing- they seem concerned that it needs monitoring but haven't really explained it.
I have an appointment with a consultant tomorrow but I also have the placenta blocking the exit so the appointment is about booing in a c section for that I think.
From what I read online it could mean your waters break earlier which for me needing a c section could be a problem.
I'll let you know what they say.

I also had to have bloods to make sure the waters were not infected- that was when they first measured them at 28 weeks. Scan last week (32 weeks) showed they were still too big.

Thanks

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UrsulaSings · 14/07/2020 14:28

Thank you for bumping @muststopeatingfroyo

And thank you for your replies @viques and @Apsh2020.

I asked the sonographer (who I had at my 12 weeks scan and who is 4 weeks more pregnant than me which is why I remembered her) if I could speak to someone as I was really worried and she spoke to the midwives for me and I'm just sat waiting to see the consultant. They said it could be a long wait but I dont mind, I just need to understand more what's happening with the baby and if theres anything to worry about. The sonographer did say though that she wouldnt start being more concerned until it got to 12cm. Today it was measuring 8.5cm so a 4mm increase. So that was reassuring. His growth has dropped off a little bit but apparently the blood flow is still good so that shouldn't be a worry either.

Really relieved I'm seeing the consultant.

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Councilworker · 14/07/2020 14:37

I had polyhydramnios with my first baby. It can be a sign of the baby's kidneys not developing properly but it can also just happen spontaneously with no cause and no issues with the baby. Most women it is the latter I believe. I measured very large across my bump. I looked full term at 30 weeks and ended up fairly uncomfortable. The main risk once they confirmed my baby was fully developed was if my waters went at home when I was told get down on all fours, bum in the air and ring 999 due to risk of cord prolapse.
I had more scans to see if the fluid was increasing out of proportion and to check baby's development and had to have a hospital birth rather than a midwife centre birth due to risk of cord prolapse
I ended up being induced (as I developed pre-eclampsia not due to polyhydramnios) and when they broke my waters it was like a flood. They had to put incontinence sheets on floor to mop it all up.
My baby is now a very happy and healthy 6 year old girl but it was very worrying at the time. I hope you get some answers and all is well.

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twinmum2017 · 14/07/2020 14:37

Hi OP

I Didn't have exactly this, but one of my twins ended up with Polyhydramnios due to other complications. I think they continue to monitor you as sometimes the pressure of the excess fluid can cause your cervix to shorten and thus can cause premature labour.
My cervix was open when diagnosed and they said i was days from going in to labour. At 22 weeks with small babies this would have been a huge problem so I had an amnio reduction as part of another procedure.

Chances are you're fluid levels will never reach a dangerous level but you may find you're on regular scans now until you give birth.

I'm not medical at all, this was just my experience. Hopefully you'll be able to talk to someone soon to clarify things for you.

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viques · 14/07/2020 15:07

Ursulasings

Sounds as though they are recognising your valid concerns and doing something to allay them, I hope the answers you get today are positive. Best wishes.

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Scoobydoobydoo · 14/07/2020 15:10

Hi OP
I was polyhydraminous with both my kids
I was scheduled for a c section second time around anyway due to other complications but the fact that I was poly made it a certain c section case.
They explained that there was greater danger of the water rupturing with such a force that the risk of cord wrapping around the baby was increased
When the actual c section happened the doctors were shocked at how much fluid eventually came out of me

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Apsh2020 · 14/07/2020 16:52

@Scoobydoobydoo can I ask how the waters come out with a c-section?
I know to expect the regular bleeding after but didn't think about the waters

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UrsulaSings · 14/07/2020 18:38

Thank you everyone. The consultant was really nice and gave me loads of time to talk about my worries and answer questions. She really reassured me that at the moment there's not much to worry about. Basically if the deepest pool is between 8 and 10 cm then all they do is monitoring. If it goes above 10 cm then they will do extra checks including a blood test to see if I've had an infection during pregnancy as apparently this can cause an increase in amniotic fluid and I might not have even realised that I had an infection. Also if it goes above 10 cm then when the baby is born they will put a tube down his throat to check his stomach is ok. She said in more than 60% of cases it's just that the woman for whatever reason produces more amniotic fluid and the if there was a problem with the baby then this usually would have been picked up by now in previous scans as there would be other problems as well.

I feel very reassured by her and I'm really relieved I got to talk to someone as I was so worried they would brush me off.

Thank you so much for your replies.

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