Needing some re-assurance.. or just talk to me about low fluids & small babies..

CheetoLady161

-fair warning, this is long. sorry!!! 

Went to the Dr yesterday for my 36wk (35wk & 6days-but, who's keeping track ) check up. U/S went okay-- The tech told me I was measuring small--which really discouraged me. Spoke w/the Dr, he said the baby was measuring small (5lbs 8oz), nothing to worry about (I have been), I was low on fluid (he adv me to drink more fluids & rest more....), and I was 1cm dialated *yay!!!*.. Also we have an induction date--yay

All good, right? Well... I had the 3d/4d u/s done at 32wks (pic is in my blogs) baby looked good & plump made me very happy. Well, when the Dr told me I was measuring small & told me the weight.. I got (and still am) very distraught (sp?) about it. I know, I still have 3 wks & they say the baby grows 1/2lb a wk. But, Im just so.. not upset.. just.. idk! (crazy, i know!!)

THEN the low fluid thing. I have a great Dr-don't get me wrong. I go back next wk for another u/s to check my fluid(s). He didn't seem that concerned-if he was, he would've had me come back today or we would've done what was necessary yesterday. But, I AM concerned... I am drinking a lot more fluid (to the point where too much water makes me sick..) and I have a sit down job, so I can prop my feet up. --oh & I am swollen EVERYWHERE (feet, toes, ankles, calves, hands & fingers...)

I think I am just overwelmed w/all of the good/(not necessarily) bad news yesterday. I just would like for us all (me & baby) to come home at the same time. I am all over the place. I've talked to my mom about this--she is w/me on if something was really wrong, Dr would've done what he needed to at the time. I can't really explain this to DH (he was w/me when we heard this) bc he is already scared/nervous. This is why I have you ladies to rely on

*TIA*!!!

Allison4419

I had an appointment today and I'm 33 weeks and 1 day today and my little man weighs 3 pounds and 14 ounces. My doctor told me a few weeks ago that I have a stage 3 placenta and low fluid. She's talking about inducing me before my due date which is January 18, 2012. I had to go to the hospital today to get a steroid shot to help his lungs develop faster for the induction.

MrsT624

My DD was only 6 lbs 1 oz when she was born and is and was perfectly healthy.  I wouldn't worry about the size, especially if your doctor isn't concerned.  Same thing with the fluid.  Mine is on the low side of normal, but there is no cause for concern unless it gets too low.

bananna40

My DS#1 was born on his due date at 6 lbs. 6 oz.  Back then, my fluid wasn't monitored, but the doctor who broke my water at the hospital asked me if my water had already broken at home because there was so little fluid.  I told him no and I don't think I had been leaking.  My son, who is now 5 years old, is very healthy and very tall (75th percentile).  I have wondered if I had low fluid throughout that pregnancy.  Fortunately, everything turned out great...

For this pregnancy, they started monitoring my fluid at 32 weeks and I have been ranging in the 8-10 range (which is low).  At my last appt. I was 8.2 at 37 weeks.  I have another appointment tomorrow -- so I am drinking all I can because the nurse told me if I fall below 8 the doctor will probably want me on bed rest.  I'm a teacher and want to finish one more full week before taking off for maternity leave (My due date is Dec. 19th).  I'm probably pushing things a little -- because I'm 2.5 cm dilated and 60% effaced -- but there is just so much to finish at work before taking 6-8 weeks off...

I'm not sure if drinking tons of water is helping but I'm doing what I can.  In my opinion your little one seems like a pretty healthy weight at 5.5 lbs. at 36 weeks.  If you reach your due date I would guess that you would have a 7 pound baby which is well within the range of normal.  Try not to stress too much...  I know how nerve racking it can be...

 

Linnea503

That sounds like a normal weight for a baby at 36 weeks. Try not to stress.

nicoleskydiver

my little man is measuring small, too. and Dr said not to worry. but she did recommend lying on left side for at least a half hour 3 times a day to increase blood flow. maybe you should try this, too. also, having your feel up is good for swelling (another important thing is to make sure you drink plenty of water), but don't keep 'em that way too long, as it can put pressure on your femoral arteries (big veins in your legs). make sure you get up and walk around for a few minutes every hour or so... and don't worry too much- as you said, if your Dr was concerned, you'd know it! hang in there.   : )

mrscountry527

If your fluid falls below 5 then most likely your doctor will induce you right away. With my DD, my fluid was 4.9 (barely low) but they put me in the hospital overnight to pump me full of fluids. I had an ultrasound the next am to check my fluid and it was back up. I was still induced that night but for preeclampsia instead of low fluid. But I think that if my fluid hadn't been low and I hadn't been sent to the hospital, I would have had to suffer longer before the doctor finally listened to me as I'd been telling him for weeks that something wasn't right and that my symptoms were not "normal pregnancy symptoms" (like he had told me).