low AFI

livkight

We got a couple "bonus" ultrasounds today and yesterday because it looks like my amniotic fluid levels are diminishing too quickly. They're not in a "dangerous" range at the moment, but on the low side of technically "normal." (Our midwife offered to do an ultrasound at our regular appt yesterday afternoon and of course we took her up on it. That's when she noticed AFI was low. She had us do a non stress test after that, and then had us go to another ultrasound appt this morning to check on things in more detail.)

Baby is looking very healthy-- measuring more like 38 weeks, with chubby cheeks and HAIR-- and moving just fine. But we'll have to keep an eye on the fluids until her birthday. From what I've read, there's not always a specific cause of this-- fluids naturally diminish as baby develops, and her kidneys and bladder are just fine, so we know she's not being negatively affected by the lower AFI. And it also sounds like there's not much that can be done except drinking plenty of water and resting when possible (come on, who isn't doing that already at nine months pregnant!!?). 

I haven't spoken with my doctor or midwife yet, since the ultrasound place had to send them the results-- and since they weren't at a critical level, I don't expect to speak with my practice before my next regular check up. I'm expecting them to check the AFI from here on out, though, just to make sure they remain stable. For now, I'll be trying to drink even more than the gallon of water I already ingest every day and just taking it easy!

Is anyone else trying to keep fluid levels up? Have any advice from present or past experience about what I should/shouldn't be doing and how things turned out for you? I'd like to do things intervention-free as long as baby and I are thriving, so good vibes are also welcome!

Lhalliburton

I had low fluid (1 cc) at my growth ultrasound with DD. She was born the next day via c-section after a failed induction. She was never in distress and didn't have any problems. I wasn't given any options, but have since found out that I could have been given a catheter of saline into the amniotic sack to increase the fluid. Just make sure they give you all your options. Good luck!

jnnfrrose6

I had low fluid at my 37 week check (it was around a 6). I was sent immediately to the hospital for fluids and spent the night getting 2.5 bags. The following morning the hospital u/s tech checked me and said I was back to normal so I was sent home and told I could return to my "normal activities." At my 38 week check had another u/s and the levels were back around a 6 and they decided baby needed to go ahead and come out since we were at 38 weeks and they didn't know why my fluids were low again (though there is some suspicion the hospital u/s tech read the levels incorrectly). Because I had a c/s the first time they don't induce (was hoping for a vbac the whole pregnancy) so I had a c/s the next day. DD is perfect, but the OB did comment after the surgery that my fluids were definitely low and it was a good thing we got her out.

livkight

Lhalliburtonjnnfrrose6 -- I think I'll have my levels checked again this week and we'll go from there. Thanks for sharing your experiences-- I'm so close to the end now I'm hoping we can hang on until LO decides to come on her own, but if not, hey, I'll get to see her a bit sooner!