Low fluid around baby 18 weeks pregnant

[Luclou]

Hi everyone,
Been for a private 18 week gender scan today and got told they are concerned on the amount of fluid around the baby and that the baby was all curled up and couldn't get them to move. I think they put it down something called oligohydramnios.
I've been referred to a specialist and waiting to hear back from them sometime next week to get things checked out.
I'm really am scared and was not expecting this at all and is a massive upsetting shock, I've read up that early this on it could cause misscarriges still births etc.
Has anyone had this before and everything been okay? Or just something so I have a feeling on what to expect?

So sorry OP, this is really worrying at only 18 weeks. What do you mean the baby wouldn’t love? At 23-24 weeks babies generally have the lung capacity with treatment to survive a pre term birth but that will not be the case at your stage of pregnancy. At only 18 weeks the condition might impact your baby’s ability to even be able to develop their lungs. You will need to find out if the condition is associated with placental insufficiency as prognosis is likely to be poorer if so. It can be an isolated condition but is also associated with certain birth defects and genetic conditions. When are you going to be seen by the specialist?

*move, not love

Hi thanks for replying,
Basically during the scan, cause the baby was all curled up it was difficult to do the checks needed.
Last night I got referred to see one and got told I have to wait for a call from them sometime next week. No specific day. Just feel abit hopeless.

Anyone had any positive stories?

I don’t think there are many positive stores relating to this condition. Wishing you lots of luck x

Sorry to read this @Luclou but there could be a lot of reasons why this won’t be an issue - could just be an inaccurate reading on the scan or even if it is true I’m sure they will take very good care of you now . I have no experience to offer but wanted to send virtual hugs . I know you might have a wait of a week to find out , if it would be me I would harass with phone calls on Monday xx

@Luclou I really feel for you. You're having loads of anxiety at the moment. I also had a lot when pregnant. Are you getting any support

Hi all thanks for all your lovely messages, I had the scan today and results were not good. There's no fluid at all now, membrane has ruptured and got told the lungs won't develop properly. Seeing a specialist in London Monday for second opinion and questions answered.
But the overall outcome they said is the baby won't survive. Absolutely heartbroken

So sorry to read you're going through this. I had the exact same condition at the exact same gestation (although they spotted mine at in a private scan at 9 weeks and sadly it never improved) and ended up being via compassionate induction at 19 weeks. I know you're looking for positive stories and sadly mine isn't but do feel free to ask any questions you may have x

@Frankincense88 I'm so sorry for you loss, its absolutely heartbreaking to see other people go through this, you just don't expect to happen to yourself.

I have all these questions running through my head at the moment it's crazy. If it's not to personal to ask though they mentioned all the risks for baby but never about risks to myself. Would having no fluid around baby affect me like damaging organs from where its not protected by fluid from baby's kicks etc. For example ovaries or uterus walls. Did you have any problems?
Obviously not thinking about it now I'm concentrating on this baby. But in future when emotional and physical ready I'm scared this will stop me from trying again and having another.

@Luclou absolutely - it's incredibly tough and until I read your post I've never actually come across another person with the same condition in the second trimester. Generally if it happens from 25/26 weeks and over then the lungs are already developing and can be assisted with steroid injections but before then the prognosis is poor. Mine had all leaked out completely by 17 weeks and I had to have this confirmed at fetal medicine as like you the sonographers could never see anything on my scans.

The only thing mentioned to me regarding risk was the increased risk of infection as obviously the fluid keeps everything protected but I didn't feel any movements even at 19 weeks as sadly she was unable to really uncurl or move her limbs properly due to no fluid so couldn't really 'kick'. Something I still feel robbed of.

I will say though I 100% underestimated how much it would affect me mentally as I'd gone through pretty much my whole pregnancy knowing in my heart it wouldn't end well so thought I was 'prepared' and it didn't hit me until about 4 weeks after. I was off work for 5 months and developed extreme anxiety, PTSD and depression. It took me about 6 months to feel 'ready' to try again and 13 further months for us to actually conceive.

I found registering with ARC charity invaluable and they have a protected forum you can speak to people in the same situation so definitely recommend speaking to them if you are struggling or have questions. Xx

@Frankincense88 all the posts on here about this condition are when they are in 30 weeks or more. It's nice to hear from someone at this stage. They've put me on antibiotics to prevent infections so that would protect me.
it's alot to take in at the moment and hasn't really sunk in. It will probably hit me more in the next few days when I have some more answers and the next steps.

I just hope I will be able to conceive again when I feel ready to obviously.
Its nice to know that there are support groups out there and will definitely look at that one. Thank you so much again x

@Luclou of course - it's a lot to get your head around. Definitely check out the ARC forum - you have to email them for a password to join but can just look at it when you're ready but they have a helpline you can call for advice as well.

Do send me a message if you think of any questions though or even want to know anything about the process - I know how incredibly isolating it is xx

@Luclou im sorry to hear this. I had oligohyroaminos diagnosed at 19 weeks after episodes of heavy bleeding that had been going on for weeks.
It was then confirmed at my 20 week scan. I was seen by specialist at the fetal medicine research centre in London.
I was also on antibiotics and Unfortunately due to the high-rise of maternal illness and the fact we were told our babies lungs would have been unable to develop due to the low amount of fluid (they need the amniotic fluid to respirate), our outcome was not happy. I was induced at 22 weeks on a bereavement suite.
We had a post mortem and it was confirmed there was an infection which could have lead to myself contracting sepsis. So as horribly sad as the whole event was, it was the 'right' thing to do.

I have since gone on to have a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Like @Frankincense88 do let me know if you need anyone to talk to. Obviously hoping for positive outcome for you. Good luck with the specialist xxx

@Buzz22 hi thanks for commenting, I'm so sorry for your loss, like I've said before it's not a nice thing to go through at any stage. I hope all is well now. It's still nice to hear stories from this stage even if it's not positive, it helps to know what to expect.

If you don't mind me asking, did you get any infections during or after the pregnancy?
Its another thing I'm worried about is getting an infection as of the ruptured membrane it can lead to infections to baby and myself, And got to wait till Monday. I'm on antibiotics but just scared they won't work.

Hi @Luclou they told me there was a risk of various infections, the worst being sepsis so I was put on a high dose of antibiotics.
Our post mortem, in which they tested both the baby and placenta, said there was an infection present called Chorioamnioitis. They were unable to tell if this was the cause of something like a membrane rupture or if it was a result of something. So a bit of a chicken or the egg situation. They were unable to test me for leaking fluid as I was bleeding. The blood contaminates any sample.
One theory is the bleeding irritated the membrane and caused a small rupture which led to low fluid and infection. Its also possible the infection caused the original problem. We will never know exactly what went wrong.
I continued the course of antibiotics after our baby was born and never felt unwell during pregnancy or after birth. I had been told to monitor my temperature before the induction and if there was any increase I should have rung the maternity assessment unit.
The post mortem showed our son had pneumonia, most definitely as a result of the chorioamnioitis. He was born sleeping.
The specialists in London were very compassionate but very firmly explained he would not survive and I would likely go into premature labour and he would be stillborn. They also very bluntly told me and my partner not to risk my life for a definite unhappy outcome.
I'm so sorry to be a bearer of nothing but bad news. I really hope you have a better outcome. I did read at the time some people can reaccumulate fluid. I also know there are various genetic conditions that can cause oligohydroaminos. Our post mortem showed nothing genetic.

I fell pregnant very quickly after my induction. I felt the need to be pregnant again to move on. I was consultant led and scanned regularly. I cannot fault my care in my second pregnancy. Everyone was very considerate of everything we had been though previously and understood all my worries. I know it isn't for everyone and some people need time.
I also second getting in touch with arc or sands. I had a bereavement midwife who I could contact. The hospital offered me grief counselling too.

Hi everyone,

Thought I'd give an update on what's happening. I'm currently 22 weeks and had 2 consultation and scans in London hospital and still showing very low fluid. All organs are fine, both kidneys are there and working and each scan showed that baby is growing at the correct gestation. They see lungs but they just don't know how developed they are, like in any normal pregnancy they just can't tell. They don't know the reason for why the fluid is low whether it's waters broken or something with the placenta as looks thicker than usual.
I have been given two options which is to terminate the pregnancy or to carry on with it. Which is a big emotional decision.
If I do carry on is there any risk to me, such as infection, damage to my ovaries, would I'd be able to have future pregnancies if I do carry on etc
I know it's all down to me but is there anyone who could answer those questions, give me some advice or experiences?

Hi @Luclou I'm so so sorry that you are going through this.

I mean this with utmost kindness, but it sounds like your situation is so specific that your decision has to be made with your doctors and partner. It sounds like such a complicated medical issue, I'm not sure how many Mumsnetters can advise you on this.

The doctors didn't advise one way or the other?

@Luclou I think it would definitely be worth contacting the ARC helpline and getting some impartial advice. They also offer free counselling and have specialists at the end of the phone with loads of knowledge who will be able to speak to you and offer guidance, By the time I was 19 weeks I had no fluid whatsoever and was told my pregnancy was 'incompatible with life' at that point and there was no chance of lungs functioning properly so the choice was ultimately taken out of my hands.

I think like the previous poster has said, only you can make this decision and I don't even think your midwife or consultant can't say with absolute certainty that you won't contract an infection as things can change so quickly.

Do keep us posted - I have been thinking about you often and hope you have a positive outcome x

@Luclou I have also been thinking of you and hoping for a positive update.
I agree with @Frankincense88 although we may have experienced very similar situations, it's not a choice anyone can make for you. Definitely contact ARC for impartial advice as suggested above.
Like @Frankincense88 by the time I was seen by specialists in London at 22 weeks, my diagnosis had changed from oligohydroaminos to anhydroaminos (complete lack of fluid) and was told our baby was not compatible with life as his lungs would not be fully developed. We were also warned about the infection risk to myself. So really it felt like the decision was made for us I suppose.
Have you been advised whether the maximal volume of fluid is increasing, remaining the same or lowering?
I really hope for some good news for you. Please do keep us updated xx

Hi OP,

I'm in a similar position to you. At 17w, I went to my gender scan to be told baby is measuring significantly small (2-3weeks behind) and diagnosed with oligohydramnious. Since then, I been scanned my MFU and the baby is stil 2-3w behind in all measurements and fluid is low. They said a few weeks ago that the fluid is about 2-3cm. The baby is so tiny and curled up and I'm finding my scans so triggering. This baby is an IVF baby and it's just so unfair after years of infertility and 12 thousand pounds spent to get here. We have decided to proceed with the pregnancy and pray for the best.

Are you being scanned fortnightly? X

I'm now 21 weeks.

Hi @praying

Hi @Prayingforabubba , sorry it's been weeks with no reply I've been abit busy. I'm so sorry that your going through the same thing. No one should have to go through it.
I am being monitored very closely a scan every 2 weeks, midwife every week and bloods taken for infection every week. Hospital I'm at is brilliant and are supportive.
Also just an update I'm now nearly 30 weeks pregnant and baby was last measured at 28 weeks still growing at the right week and doc was very surprised in a good way. Just still low fluid. Baby moving alot now as well. Got a scan on Monday so crossed fingers.
Hope everything with your pregnancy is going positively

@Luclou ah that’s amazing! I’m also being monitored every fortnight . My baby has some fluid, between 2-3cm. How about yours? Unfortunately my baby has been diagnosed with severe IUGR so is measuring 4 weeks behind now! Movements are a bit more and just wishing the next 3 months will hurt up and go so I can bring bubba home safely.

last stretch for you, please keep in touch. It’s so hard to find people in similar situation to me. C