Polyhydromnios - Not even sure why I am writing this…

[Chronicworrier23]

Hi all

not even sure why I am writing this to be honest because if I get any negative stories I will freak out but I don’t know, just need someone to talk to that isn’t family / friends.

history:
High NT at 11 weeks (3.6mm)
blood results ok but 1/120 risk of down syndrome
NIPT test negative therefore declined amnio
16 weeks anatomy scan fine
20 weeks anatomy scan fine
28 weeks - anti d as rhesus negative blood
28 weeks growth scan - Polyhydromnios (12cm)

obviously now due to the polyhydromnios I am panicking because I know it can be related to chromosome issues. I kind of regret not having amnio but we always said if the NIPT was low we would stick with that due to the risk of miscarriage with amnio and I’ve already had miscarriages in the past.

im also worried about rhesus disease as have read that can be another reason For polyhydromnios and I am RH negative blood.

i guess I’m looking for advice/stories/positive views, comments, support. Anything really. To stop me laying here wide awake wanting to cry because I just feel so stressed and upset with worry.

thanks in advance x

Hi OP

I was diagnosed with polyhydramnios at my 36 week scan but I looked quite big so it was a give away.

it pushed me into the high risk category and I was encouraged to induce or have an elected C. They did check me for gestational diabetes and I was clear.

I don’t think it’s a concern for the baby, more just a risk at birth which is a risk of cord prolapse.

Try not to panic, just take care of you and baby xx

I had polyhydramnios with DD1. When my waters went, the midwife said it was the most she'd ever seen! It was literally cascading over the sides of the bed like a waterfall. DD had pneumonia and needed oxygen for a couple of days, but she's now a happy, healthy 9 year old. DD2 does have a chromosome disorder and I didn't have polyhydramnios with her! Hoping everything works out well for you

I don't think 12cm is classed as poly at 28 weeks. Not my exact area but I seem to remember 8-18cm is normal until 34+ weeks.

Your care provider is the best to advise you but this table shows the average for each week gestation

Thanks to everyone who has posted so quickly and responded.

I know it’s not always a bad thing. I guess because I had the high NT early on and the risk of Down syndrome, it’s just got me completely panicked. Please no judgement, I don’t think it would have changed anything for me.. but you just never know until you are in that position. I already have a DD so it would have also been unfair to not think about her. Like I said I don’t think it would have changed my mind on anything if quality of life would be ok, but I am the type of person who needs to be prepared (I think).

I should have also mentioned, I’ve since due to the polyhydrominois had :
Gestational diabetes - all clear
infection bloods - waiting
iron - low, I am on iron tablets
4 fainting episodes (they are going to check my head but think this could be low blood pressure which is common)

I know I need to be better at taking my pregnancy vitamins! I’ve been rubbish and now really beating myself up incase I’ve caused all of this!!

@Fluffyrug191 - sorry can you explain the table to me? What are the percentages at the top? So if I was 28 weeks and the pool was 12cm (they told me anything over 10 is poly) .. how do I interpret that on the table?

@CloseEncountersOfTheTurdKind thanks for your response. Do you mind me asking, with your DD2, did you know from early on about the chromosome issue? Did you have high NT or anything? X

I had polyhydrominious with my youngest. He is now a strong, happy and healthy ten year old. In my case I ended up with an emergency c-section with him as it turned out the cord was wrapped around his neck. All went well however and no issues once he was born.

I believe polyhydrominious is quite common so try not to worry.

Ah apologies if that's what they've told you I would assume they are looking at a single pocket of fluid to base their measurements on. My experience and the above table are looking at a different method of measurement. Please ask your trust if there is a fetal medicine midwife or screening lead that can counsel you on these findings, they will be able to give you tailored advice.

@Fluffyrug191 - thank you. I am under foetal med and seeing them again 2 weeks tomorrow.. So not long to wait now.

I had poly with my second. I got really worked up about it, made worse by the weekly scans I ended up with.

Reality was, my water broke after a sweep that I begged for at 39+5. It was biblical and such a great feeling when it went. I was immediately more comfortable. Straightforward delivery (but mine are very quick which is not that pleasant), vaginal delivery with a tiny tear and baby was fine. Home next morning.

Thank you again for all your comments.

anyone else reading this who has a relatable story please feel free to share with me!

Yes, I had an extremely high NT, so we knew something was likely to be wrong. We didn't get her exact diagnosis until after she was born because we opted not to have the amniocentesis x

I had it with my first baby. She is a very loud and very funny long legged 10 year old (imagine a Quentin Blake picture of a girl running around. That's my child). I had additional scans as they were concerned in case she had bladder or kidney issues but all was fine. I was induced and when the midwife broke my waters there was so much that they had to make little islands out of inco pads to get across the room to go and get a mop. Sometimes it does just happen.

She never ever engaged and floated about right until she was evicted. A floating 37week 9lb baby under your ribs before bobbing off to headbutt your cervix is quite the sensation!

Polyhydramnios here too and I also really panicked myself with googling at the time. But it started subsiding by itself as the pregnancy progressed and by due date was only slightly high.

My advice, although easier said than done, is try not to borrow worries from tomorrow.

@CloseEncountersOfTheTurdKind - did you not have the NIPT? Or was that not available? I’ve opted not to have amnio after an NT of 3.6.. but I had a low risk nipt and clear scans since so trying not to worry x

@YellowHatt - did you have any high NT early on?
im gunna take you advice and not google from tomorrow. I’m losing my mind!!!

Fluffy I think that table relates to the four quadrants. Not maximum pool depth.
Most poly is for an unknown reason. It often goes hand in hand with Larger babies. It is very common and rarely due to a chromosome abnormality.

I had polyhydramnios - "baby" is now in her 20s! I had an SVD without any problems.

I had poly with DD, I didn’t get any additional checks or anything like that but I was induced at 39+3, she was born the day after by emergency C-section (she was a 9lb 7oz chunk and I couldn’t squeeze her out!) She is a perfectly healthy 2 year old now

I didn't have the earlier issues you mention, but was told all sorts of weird & wonderful measurements towards the end of my pregnancy, including that I may/may not have had poly.... one very good doctor told me that the measurements are less & less reliable as you/the baby gets bigger, so I wouldn't focus on them too much. My Dd was fine in the end and certainly not the enormous baby with short legs they were worried about!

I would say get a VERY good mattress protector though 🤪 My waters broke in the hospital luckily, otherwise I think we'd have had to bin our mattress, bed, carpet, the works...As @headcheffer said: biblical! 🤣

They wouldn't do the NIPT because I'd said I wouldn't do the amnio or have an abortion. My NT was more than double what yours is. If the scans haven't shown any issues that's a good sign x

Agree with the mattress protector. I was close to being poly ( as was my mum- think there is a family link in the way women carry as well) Waters broke in bed at 38 weeks. Also put inco pads by the side of the bed. Most of the water came out as I jumped out of bed by the side of it. Carpet was ruined!

Hi all, just wanted to update my thread incase anyone else ever comes across it as I remember always sitting and reading threads and never found an end answer… to say I am holding my perfect baby in my arms just now and the fluid was absolutely nothing.. no reason for it, just one of them things x