Low Amniotic Fluid Question

TheAnalyticalMommy

Hey everyone!

At my ultrasound the other day, they told me that my amniotic fluid is low and I need to go back for a check-in ultrasound next week to see how it's doing. They said to increase my water intake but didn't seem confident that it would "fix" it. 

So.. Have any of you had this during this or other pregnancies? Did increasing your intake actually help and if so, how did you manage? I'm already spending half the day in the bathroom and it's really painful when my bladder "feels" full. I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to manage to drink even more but of course I want to so that the little guy can stay in until he's ready to come out! (I'm worried that they'll push me for an induction if my fluid levels don't get better).

Thanks!

rainydayluck

I had low AFI starting around the third tri. Fluid and IVs did not increase my AFI. In fact, at 32 weeks it dropped to a 3 and I was hospitalized because of the low fluid until DD was delivered at 36 weeks due to distress.
My fluid never went back up to normal levels and DD was IUGR so they assumed it was a placental issue. There is a worry about cord accidents with low fluid due to the lack of cushion between baby and cord.
Good luck and I hope your levels increase.

ETA: they might "push" for an induction because low fluid is not something to toy with. If baby lays on the cord and there isn't enough fluid, the cord would be pinched off and baby can die. Just something to consider before doubting your doctors.

TheAnalyticalMommy

Oh wow! I had not even thought about the cord issue... they didn't mention that. I'm so glad you mentioned it... thanks! 

I hope my levels increase! Thanks for sharing your story. 

TheAnalyticalMommy

They did but I don't recall... i need to dig up the report.

TheAnalyticalMommy

Oops! That would have been some good info..I'm 36 weeks along. 

TheAnalyticalMommy

I found my report. At exactly 36 weeks the AFI was 8.5. 

rainydayluck

OurBundleOfJoy said:

I found my report. At exactly 36 weeks the AFI was 8.5. 

Well, fluid is lower as you get further along (less fluid, more baby), so I'm not sure what the standard is when you are almost full term. Talking out my ass here, but it doesn't seem urgently low. I hope it stays steady or increases.

TheAnalyticalMommy

Thanks!! I looked it up and it appears that i'm a bit higher than the 5th percentile which is 7.7 but much lower than the "median" which is 13.8. The Dr. at the U/S place really just said that it had "decreased" so it didn't concern me too much at the time but now i'm not so sure... i'm going to call my OB and see what she thinks of the results and keep on drinking!!

TheAnalyticalMommy

You too!

mcgeeva

My fluid was an 8 at 31 weeks so I was hospitalized but I also had a partial placenta abruption. My fluid did go back up to a 11 or 12. I ended up being on strict bedrest until I delivered at 37 weeks. So it can but it depends on the situation for the fluid loss I would think.

SuperMom17

I had low fluid with DS- by the time they realized it I was 37 weeks though and they basically were like, drink tons of weather and we will so how things go. He was born a week later, healthy as a horse and with no complications. I worry about it now and again this time around too as I don't always feel like I am getting enough water... It's tough to do when you are chasing two toddlers around all day and trying to accomplish day-to-day jobs around the house!

SuperMom17

Should also add that my fluid was at 9 at 37 weeks with DS, in case that makes a difference to you.

rexgirl06

My fluid was at an 8 at 30/31 weeks. They reduced my activity and told me to drink up. Next 3 weeks I did pretty well keeping it between 10 and 13. Was back down to 7 again Monday so I'm pretty sure it's hydration for me. Drinking 8-10 cups of water a day plus some other liquids. Doctor at the ultrasound place (connected to the hosptial) said if fluid levels aren't looking good in 3 weeks she'd want to induce. Based on the concern from my regular OB, I assume she would agree. Hope your levels go up a bit! 

TheAnalyticalMommy

Thanks everyone for the feedback! based on what i could read online, it looks like so long as i stay over the 5th percentile I wont have to get induced or a c-section. Seems to be a bigger issue when you go below the 5th so... hopefully increasing intake will keep my levels above the 5th!!

My 1st was IUGR so i'm beginning to think i might just not be good at this pregnancy thing

bunniekrissy

In my last pregnancy my AFI was down to 8 at my 36 week check (I was being monitored closely due to hypertension). I drank as much water as I could and it was back up to 12 or so 4 days later. At that point I was on bed rest and I just went through as many bottles of bottled water as I could the whole day every day. It was only that one time it measured below 10 though.

kittieluvz

Going through this now. AFI was 6.4 at 32 weeks and 5.7 at 33 weeks. (Didn't tell me until 33wks). Drank water like crazy and at 34 wks got it to 13. It's now back down to 10 for wks 35&36. For me it's just dehydration. My mfm said she was gonna c/s when levels got down to 4.