Has anyone had low fluid levels during pregnancy? (update inside)

idonthavethis

After my NST today, the nurse told me I was being sent for a sonogram to check my fluid levels. Apparently something with the baby's heart rate could of meant the levels were low. Sure enough, they were. I walked over to my doctor's office after that for my regular appointment and he told me I was being sent back again tomorrow and if they were lower, he would be inducing me.  He said they were "dangerously low" which eased my mind but it is still upsetting. 

 

I had my levels checked this morning again and they were completely normal. They do not know what happened. Either way, I'm happy!

 

nutmegger

Yes, that's why I ended up being induced with DD.  I went to the hospital at 36w6d beacuse of reduced movement.  They did a NST and noticed low fluid levels, then did an AFI 12 hours later, which showed that the fluid level had gone down despite IV fluids and drinking lots of water.

I hope everything goes well for you!  Good luck.

mrs. remy

Good luck and I hope it turns out to be a fluke! The good thing is you are full term, so if you have to be induced, you should be just fine! Don't be upset....that is why they monitor you so closely at the end of pregnancy, if they need to jump in and do something that is best for the baby, they will and you guys will be fine.

Mella&T

At 41 weeks I had my first non-stress test and I had low fluid (4.5 - they said they were looking for 12-15) and was sent directly to be induced. I presume I had been that way for a bit and all was fine. I can understand the word "dangerous" worries you though. I would just monitor the baby movements overnight. GL!!

KathrynMD

did they advise you to do bed rest?

I could swear my friend had low fluid and they put her on bed rest immediately (she was ~35 or 36 weeks)

idonthavethis

I am so sorry--I mean to say they weren't dangerously low.  The nurse who reviewed my NST and the doctor at the ultrasound both said the baby looked good and she has been moving around a lot so that eases my mind.

Thank you guys. I will update tomorrow after my appointment. Oh and Kathryn, he didn't say anything about bed rest yet.

photo_nut

fluid levels depend on how much your drink - really. I had low fluid levels, and being AMA and VBAC, they monitored me weekly and said my fluids were low. I drank a lot of water after that and it was fine. Really - unless you have a tear, the fluid comes and goes depending on how/where they measure and how much fluid you drink. Also different doctors have different levels of what they feel is okay. I really pressured the OB about low level criteria because for me, they would not induce, they would just schedule me for a repeat c-section. Drink lots of water, and take a long before your next sonogram and see if that helps. Dangerously low fluid levels is very rare, most of the time it can be changed.

 My levels were measured at 5, by the way, so I was told I was close to the low end, but they didn't feel it was bad enough to do anything...it seems subjective to me. Considering I was 39 years old, if it was that bad, they wouldn't have told me I was okay.

FieryIrishAngel

I had low fluid levels toward the end of my pregnancy and was on strict bed rest for a week then modified bed rest for 6 weeks with two doctor's appointments/week to monitor me closely.  I spent a lot of time in the doctor's office and in L&D triage, even going so far as to have steroid injections in case I had to deliver before I reached full-term.  I reached an all-time low on the day before my due date, so they induced me the following morning.

It didn't matter how much I drank, how much they gave me via IV fluids - the levels remained low and there was nothing I could do except take it easy (my levels dropped if I was more active) and continue to be monitored.  

Try not to fret too terribly much.  You're full term and they'll monitor you and do what's best for you and your little one.  I'm sorry you're dealing with this, hon.  If you want to talk, feel free to find me *hugs*

mrs. remy

Yay!! I'm glad things are looking normal.

photo_nut

that's great - sometimes the baby moves and they get a better measurement. I am glad things turned out well

Matildasun

Good to hear that your levels look great. Good luck with the end of your pregnancy.