AFI (amniotic fluid level) what is normal?

[4658Lou]

I went for a scan 32 weeks as my 20 week scan the placenta was low, however it’s moved up now, but the sonagrapher mentioned that my amniotic fluid was on the high side (9.7cm) and asked had I been tested for gestational diabetes, which I have not had that test. Sonagrapher said the range was up to ‘10’ (but I can’t find anywhere on the NHS these AFI ranges what is considered normal etc?- what levels requires for example a diabetes test or extra scan etc) I did question it at the end and she said it’s in normal range, baby is what he suppose to be, I think I’m on the 90th percentile and estimated at 32 weeks 4 pounds 10, I’m not sure is this normal for 32 weeks? everything else was ok she checked the baby over. There was no further mention of me needing anything further and on my paperwork it says ‘normal’ just wondering if anyone has any insight on these AFI fluid levels?

My AFI was 14cm at 32 weeks and 18cm at 34 weeks and both were well within normal, they are even plotted on a centile chart for AFI and both well within 5th and 95th centiles. After consultant appointment they said they would be concerned with anything around or over 25cm as an indicator of gestational diabetes.

I think rather than the AFI reading she has given you the 'deepest pool' reading of amniotic fluid which has a normal value of between 2 and 8cm. AFI normal is between 5 and 25cm.

A deepest pool of above 8cm or AFI of above 25cm can be considered as polyhydramnios which just means excessive amniotic fluid. There are causes of this but it can also happen for no apparent reason. Gestational diabetes is one of the leading causes though, so a high deepest pool or AFI does trigger a test for it if you haven't already had one. Other causes are a larger baby which might be the case for you if bub is on 90th centile.
These things can also change over time- I had a deepest pool of 10cm at 32 weeks and by the time I was 38 weeks it was down to 7cm.
Depending on what your scan regime has been, it may be that you have on 2 weekly growth scans to keep an eye on everything. If unsure your midwife can check and make sure you are on the right pathway.

Thank you for the replies. The sonographer said to me their range was ‘10’ and I was 9.7cm (im just at a standard NHS hospital)

so from these replies this may have been a pocket of fluid they measured on me? I will follow up with midwife on my routine appointment but yeah sonographer said everything was fine and nothing further was needed so there is no mention of diabetes blood test or further scans for me and on my paperwork and growth charts it says normal. I was just querying if it’s on the high side what was the ranges for AFI as I didn’t understand it.

yeah baby is on the bigger side 90th percentile 4 pounds and 10 at 32 weeks

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