Low Amniotic fluid at 34 wks...what happens next?

[MrsC2010]

Hi All! Just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience.

I have been measuring very small up until now (nearly 34 wks) and at last wk's growth scan everything was spot on normal bar my amniotic fluid levels which were right at the bottom of 'ok'...down at the very bottom of the 5th centile. As such I have been referred to a consultant and for another scan next week. My midwife murmured something about if it doesn't rectify the decision might be taken to induce early.

I was just wondering if anyine else had been in the same boat? If it stays on the 5th centile and everything else is ok is there a chance they will let me progress normally? Or by rectify do they mean if it hasn't increased? Cause I don't know how much new fluid the body produces from now on.

I'm trying not to worry about this as I'm sure if it were really serious I wouldn't be waiting to see someone...but then she did say that it wasn't a common problem.

If the worst that can happen is an early induction I'm fine with that...they said at the scan that the baby looks normal and healthy so they don't seem worried about kidney problems etc.

Anyone got any words of wisdom?!

My waters actually leaked with DS2 from 30 weeks or there about. I was scanned every week and put on a trace every 4 days once they got to the "low" level.

DS2 was born by ELCS at 38 weeks, no ill effects from the low waters apart from slightly rubbery skin. He was tiny born as well at 7lb 1.

Twice. Both times had scans weekly till they induced - low fluid can be a sign that the Placenta is starting to fail a bit, and they will keep a very close eye on you. It's more common as you aproach term, not so common at 34 weeks (as you say, kidney or other problems may also cause low fluid). If fluid increases, they probably won't induce, if it drops further, or stays the same they probably will - as I think it can the babies lung development (they need the fluid to practice breathing), and they may decide "better out than in".
Induction can be long and tough, so ask for pain med/epidural sooner rather than later, and ask for anti-emetic to stop you being sick as soon as you get any nausea (the induction drugs make about 20% women vomit).

Thanks for the experiences, I wasn't sure what to expect. The scan looked at kidneys etc and on the notes it doesn't comment on any abnormalities, but I think they are probably thinking better safe than sorry. 10 days odd to wait until the consultant's appt and next scan...seems forever away! Just feel in limbo now. Obviously it makes sense to wait as they need time to see what my body is going to do about it, but still seems forever. I have been measuring small for a while so presumeably this isn't a new thing.

Anyway, off to the GP tomorrow on the midwife's recommendation to see about getting signed off work for a week or so...it is all getting a bit too much at the moment. We will see!

Low or little amniotic fluid can mean lung development is affected and limbs can become sqaushed and affected. (club foot, for example is common in cases of low/no fluid) However, by 34 weeks crucial lung development is done and not all consultants even give women steroids for delivery at 34 weeks or after, certainly babies born at that gestation with no other complications have pretty much the same chance of survivial as a term baby.

If the fluid is only at the bottom end of what is normal, baby seems OK and your membrnes are intact they will probably just monitor you very closely.