Polyhydramnios at 34 weeks?

[sae3005010]

So I had a growth scan today due to my bump measuring big about 4/5 days ago at my midwife appointment. When taking my measurements she said I have excess fluid which is why my bump measurements are so large.
The doctor literally gave me no information apart from he'll see me in 2 weeks for another scan, so I've been doing basic research using the NHS website.

Those who have had this: Can it resolve? Are these risks really high? I've already began losing mucus plug from 32 weeks (luckily not blood streaked) and now I'm starting to freak out.
T.I.A

Hello I had this with my first and it can be really really scary but please don't worry. They did a number of tests on me to see why such as diabetes, infections and liver and kidney all through blood tests. I turned out to be idiosyncratic which basically means they don't know why. Me and baby were fine it just meant that I was induced and had extra growth scans. I was severe end so I needed to go to be monitored for baby movements three times a week but that was because I couldn't feel baby move very well as I had so much fluid. Please don't worry me and baby were absolutely fine!! If you need to ask anything please feel free to message me

I’ve just gone through this with my first. It wasn’t picked up until I was 36 weeks (I was actually being scanned to check whether baby was breach when they discovered my polyhydramnios by accident). I had a 2nd scan a week later to confirm and then was booked for induction 2 days later (baby was also large - 90th centile). Due to the lateness of discovery they never figured out what caused it but the consultant mentioned that had they found it earlier they’d have tested me for gestational diabetes amongst other things.

You’ll likely be monitored a little more closely for the rest of your pregnancy and probably offered an induction (potentially a little earlier than your due date) but definitely don’t worry about it - me and baby were both absolutely fine too. If you have any other questions about poly or the induction process with poly (I ended up having an emcs but it was due to reduced movement rather than the excess fluid) feel free to pop me a message 😊

How early are we talking? 😥

I was induced on my due date but it really depends case by case and your fluid levels can fluctuate too so depending your levels this could still reduce x

I have been previously induced due to my second daughter weighing big, I did want to try and avoid induction. With my first at 40+6 I almost needed a blood transfusion due to her weight, I was 500ml off. However, I think I'm going to speak to my midwife and ask her if I could be induced at 39+2 again. She told me birth weight accelerates quickly after 40 weeks and with 2 kids at home, I want labour to be smooth sailing. With the extra fluid, me feeling really poorly (weakness, exhaustion, nausea, heart palpatations, pelvic girdle pain, can't breathe), estimated big birth weight, I just think I'm going to bite the bullet and ask. I want the safest outcome.

I was induced at 38+2 so pretty close to my actual due date (and well within the point I could’ve gone into labour naturally anyway).

34 weeks I had high amniotic fluid levels. My midwife told me it's extremely common at that stage and was very likely to go down at my next scan. Went to my next scan and it had gone even higher.

At 40 weeks I had my final scan and it had gone back to normal. I was previously advised by my midwife that if the levels remained high I should listen to the doctor's advice, if it had gone back to normal I could continue with my birth/pregnancy as normal. However, the doctor at the hospital disagreed and wanted me induced the next day. They had concerns as to why the fluid levels had just "dropped" and were concerned for baby's health. I was induced and baby arrived 1 day later with no health issues. Personally, I think my amniotic fluid levels fell under the "just one of those things" brackets. But when the doctors start talking about health concerns it puts the fear in you and so you do what's right for the baby.

If your levels remain high they will suggest you are induced. You will need to give birth on a labour ward and have ECG monitoring throughout. If you go into labour at home you will need to go straight to hospital and not wait so they can check that the cord doesn't come out first as cord prolapse is a risk with polyhydramnios.

Also the hospital said my baby was measuring big. Baby was not big.

Take measurements with a pinch of salt, it can take one small measuring error to completely throw off the baby's overall measurements.

How high is your deepest pool? I’ve had this twice and had to be monitored twice a week by a consultant to see if it needed draining. If they are seeing you in 2 weeks I wouldn’t be too concerned.

It can resolve itself and not be an issue. The biggest concern for me was the pressure of the excess fluid and going into early labour (I didn’t).

I had it with my second. Like you, I was concerned, but the doctors seemed very relaxed. I was not induced (nor was it ever discussed as something i would need). I had a normal birth at 39+5 (actually a really lovely birth!) and the only thing that was different was that after birth they needed to do a little check that baby’s mouth was connected to stomach correctly (a lovely nurse from NICU came and passed a tiny tube down her throat to her stomach-it was over very very quickly) before I fed her. Otherwise, all totally normal.
Best wishes for your delivery.