Polyhydramnios | Mumsnet

NewMamaToBee · 2023-08-08T09:58:35+00:00

Hey all, Curious to know what recovery and post partum weight loss will be like after pregnancy with mild polhydramnios? During my pregnancy I gained rapid weight, legs are swollen by the end of each day and it has been a battle to come to terms with the physical changes. Can anyone share how their recovery was? Does the swelling get better and how much weight was lost after all that fluid finally came out? TIA

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

headcheffer · 08/08/2023 11:30

I had it with my second. I lost 2 stone in 2 weeks after delivery. I sweated like an absolute HORSE in the month after, and it was much more than with my first child. Recovery wise, I had a near identical birth as to my first, and a similar sized small tear so can compare recovery nearly like for like. I did lose quite a bit of control of my pelvic floor for wees for the first few days after delivery which the midwife said was likely due to the pressure it had been experiencing with the weight of the fluid. Within a week it was much better, and within a month back to normal. Otherwise my recovery was speedy, the same as with my first. I had carpal tunnel with my second and that went in the week after delivery. It's very unpleasant carrying all that water OP, you'll feel much better once the baby is out!

headcheffer · 08/08/2023 11:38

Oh and I felt instant relief when my water broke. But it was a LOT of water 😅

Original poster

NewMamaToBee · 08/08/2023 11:38

headcheffer · 08/08/2023 11:30

I had it with my second. I lost 2 stone in 2 weeks after delivery. I sweated like an absolute HORSE in the month after, and it was much more than with my first child. Recovery wise, I had a near identical birth as to my first, and a similar sized small tear so can compare recovery nearly like for like. I did lose quite a bit of control of my pelvic floor for wees for the first few days after delivery which the midwife said was likely due to the pressure it had been experiencing with the weight of the fluid. Within a week it was much better, and within a month back to normal. Otherwise my recovery was speedy, the same as with my first. I had carpal tunnel with my second and that went in the week after delivery. It's very unpleasant carrying all that water OP, you'll feel much better once the baby is out!

Thank you for sharing. Yes I’m literally dreaming of the relief when this fluid is out. My pelvis has been under so much pressure from the end of my 2nd trimester.

I’m hoping once baby is head the relief will come slowly but surely!

My legs literally feel like rubber and I can’t wait to have more control of my movement

OP posts:

headcheffer · 08/08/2023 12:03

I really feel for you. I found people really minimised the experience too like oh everyone is always uncomfortable at the end of pregnancy with an eye roll! Nope, it was definitely more uncomfortable than with my first and I felt totally miserable. How long until you're due?

Original poster

NewMamaToBee · 08/08/2023 21:42

headcheffer · 08/08/2023 12:03

I really feel for you. I found people really minimised the experience too like oh everyone is always uncomfortable at the end of pregnancy with an eye roll! Nope, it was definitely more uncomfortable than with my first and I felt totally miserable. How long until you're due?

It’s such a relief to hear that. Everyone I tell about the tightness just doesn’t quite get it.

I get so many comments on how much weight I’ve put on too, it’s been a battlefield with emotions. My main concern is as long as baby is well, I will have to tackle postpartum as it comes.

baby is due first week of September

OP posts:

Fipfop · 08/08/2023 21:49

I also lost 2 stone in about 2 weeks. It just fell off me!

annlee3817 · 08/08/2023 22:53

Took about two weeks for all the swelling to go, weight wise I can't remember, but I was back to my pre pregnancy weight 9 weeks after birth

Original poster

NewMamaToBee · 12/08/2023 07:00

Fipfop · 08/08/2023 21:49

I also lost 2 stone in about 2 weeks. It just fell off me!

Wow! That’s incredible! I feel like I’ve put on 4x the amount I should have considering most of my first 2 trimesters I lost my appetite with the nausea. But instead I just blew up like a balloon. I hope I can get some relief as I literally feel like a block of rubber

OP posts:

Original poster

NewMamaToBee · 12/08/2023 07:01

annlee3817 · 08/08/2023 22:53

Took about two weeks for all the swelling to go, weight wise I can't remember, but I was back to my pre pregnancy weight 9 weeks after birth

That’s incredible! I think the swelling calming down will be a relief in itself. Towards the end of the day my legs don’t even fold, they’re just like rubber. Hopefully not too long to now

OP posts:

GoodVibesHere · 12/08/2023 07:46

Oh I was HUGE with my pregnancies, polyhydramnios both times. I have small body frame, was a size 8 to start with, with a very tiny waist, so the massive gigantic belly looked so ridiculous and I could hardly walk by the end. My legs were like balloons. I could hardly walk. The discomfort was awful, I was having trouble breathing properly due to the compression of my lungs. I couldn't sleep laying down, had to be half sat up because if I laid down my lungs got squashed.

Oh the sweet relief when they broke my waters. The fluid absolutely flooded out! Soooo much of it, it was astonishing. I actually watched my belly 'deflate' in front of my eyes, and I could instantly breathe fully again. I went on to have a c-section.

In terms of recovery, well I ain't gonna lie, my body suffered. I mean, I lost the weight easily enough, and the bodily swelling went down beautifully during the first week after birth, but my shape did change and my ribs had expanded to accomodate the baby and fluid. My body became more prone to weight gain after having a baby, but it is possible to stay slim. I just found my shape was different. None of my pre-pregnancy clothes ever fitted me again, as the cut just wasn't right and my tiny waist was gone. The main problem is.....my skin. I guess my skin on my belly had to stretch so much over the massive bump, when the weight dropped off my skin never went back to normal appearance and I was left with a loose puckered belly of leftover stretched skin. I can never wear a bikini again. It is sad. I have a flappy skin belly which I cannot change. BUT I have my beautiful children who I love for eternity so the rubbish belly is ok. I learned to accept it, as I can't change it and I look ok with clothes on . I mean what can you do.

Hibiscrubbed · 12/08/2023 08:42

I get so many comments on how much weight I’ve put on too

Why do people make comments about pregnant women’s bodies? Seriously, what goes through their tiny fucking minds?! My FIL is obsessed with whether I get stretch marks or not. Just fuck off. It’s because he finds them disgusting and doesn’t want his son to have to look at them. Seriously. 🖕🏻

BabyBabyBaby123 · 12/08/2023 08:59

How was your polyhydramnios discovered?
My fundal height is measuring above 97th centile, which has never happened with my previous pregnancies, they were both 50th-ish (this is 3rd DC) but my midwife doesn’t seem concerned as long as I’m following the curve so said I won’t be offered any additional scans. I’m worried that something is being missed … or maybe this baby is just much larger, although it was only measuring 30th centile at my 20 week scan …

Hibiscrubbed · 12/08/2023 09:03

BabyBabyBaby123 · 12/08/2023 08:59

How was your polyhydramnios discovered?
My fundal height is measuring above 97th centile, which has never happened with my previous pregnancies, they were both 50th-ish (this is 3rd DC) but my midwife doesn’t seem concerned as long as I’m following the curve so said I won’t be offered any additional scans. I’m worried that something is being missed … or maybe this baby is just much larger, although it was only measuring 30th centile at my 20 week scan …

Ask your midwife about additional scans to check. Can you see your fluid measurement on your 20-week scan report?

Original poster

NewMamaToBee · 13/08/2023 17:46

GoodVibesHere · 12/08/2023 07:46

Oh I was HUGE with my pregnancies, polyhydramnios both times. I have small body frame, was a size 8 to start with, with a very tiny waist, so the massive gigantic belly looked so ridiculous and I could hardly walk by the end. My legs were like balloons. I could hardly walk. The discomfort was awful, I was having trouble breathing properly due to the compression of my lungs. I couldn't sleep laying down, had to be half sat up because if I laid down my lungs got squashed.

Oh the sweet relief when they broke my waters. The fluid absolutely flooded out! Soooo much of it, it was astonishing. I actually watched my belly 'deflate' in front of my eyes, and I could instantly breathe fully again. I went on to have a c-section.

In terms of recovery, well I ain't gonna lie, my body suffered. I mean, I lost the weight easily enough, and the bodily swelling went down beautifully during the first week after birth, but my shape did change and my ribs had expanded to accomodate the baby and fluid. My body became more prone to weight gain after having a baby, but it is possible to stay slim. I just found my shape was different. None of my pre-pregnancy clothes ever fitted me again, as the cut just wasn't right and my tiny waist was gone. The main problem is.....my skin. I guess my skin on my belly had to stretch so much over the massive bump, when the weight dropped off my skin never went back to normal appearance and I was left with a loose puckered belly of leftover stretched skin. I can never wear a bikini again. It is sad. I have a flappy skin belly which I cannot change. BUT I have my beautiful children who I love for eternity so the rubbish belly is ok. I learned to accept it, as I can't change it and I look ok with clothes on . I mean what can you do.

Thank you for sharing.

I literally feel you when you say HUGE. I am in disbelief at my own mirror reflection at times.

I am really looking forward to this “whoosh” and relief when the waters do break 😅

OP posts:

Original poster

NewMamaToBee · 13/08/2023 17:47

Hibiscrubbed · 12/08/2023 08:42

I get so many comments on how much weight I’ve put on too

Why do people make comments about pregnant women’s bodies? Seriously, what goes through their tiny fucking minds?! My FIL is obsessed with whether I get stretch marks or not. Just fuck off. It’s because he finds them disgusting and doesn’t want his son to have to look at them. Seriously. 🖕🏻

I thought that it would be rare to get comments on weight and appearance during pregnancy- I assumed the best in people but it’s all I’ve heard - even from women who have had children themselves!!!

Doesnt help that I have a cousin who is due 3 months after me and doesn’t look like she is pregnant at all, so I get constantly compared to her

OP posts:

Original poster

NewMamaToBee · 13/08/2023 17:48

BabyBabyBaby123 · 12/08/2023 08:59

How was your polyhydramnios discovered?
My fundal height is measuring above 97th centile, which has never happened with my previous pregnancies, they were both 50th-ish (this is 3rd DC) but my midwife doesn’t seem concerned as long as I’m following the curve so said I won’t be offered any additional scans. I’m worried that something is being missed … or maybe this baby is just much larger, although it was only measuring 30th centile at my 20 week scan …

my CM said my fondant growth readings were off the chart and referred me for a growth scan. This is when it was picked up

OP posts:

BabyBabyBaby123 · 13/08/2023 18:19

@NewMamaToBee How many weeks were you when they decided to send you for a growth scan?

Hibiscrubbed · 13/08/2023 20:19

NewMamaToBee · 13/08/2023 17:47

I thought that it would be rare to get comments on weight and appearance during pregnancy- I assumed the best in people but it’s all I’ve heard - even from women who have had children themselves!!!

Doesnt help that I have a cousin who is due 3 months after me and doesn’t look like she is pregnant at all, so I get constantly compared to her

Show quote history

Ugh, people are just awful.

I got told I was ‘soooo lucky’ for being constantly scanned, by someone who had a textbook pregnancy. They seemed to forget the scans were because doctors thought my baby was likely to be profoundly disabled.

People are just really, really stupid about our bodies and our pregnancies and say truly stupid shit. It’s like pregnancy makes some people go mental, all rules of decency go out the windows, they think they can touch us and pass judgement on the shapes of our bodies and what we do and eat, not to mention have a vociferous opinion on our choices.

My FIL mentioned stretch marks again today over my lunch. I really wanted to tell him to fuck off.