induction for too much fluid??

candyfisherman

Hi there,

 

Wondering if any other ladies have experience with being induced for their VBAC because their doctor is concerned about a possible cord prolapse resulting from "too much" amniotic fluid??

 the full story..i am 40 weeks on 1-Aug and the doctor says I am already measuring at 42 weeks. She wants to send me for an ultrasound (which i already declined at last weeks appointment), but she's pushing for me to go again at yesterdays appointment. She says because I have gained excessive weight (42 pounds so far..gained 65 with my first), she would like to see where this weigh is..whether it's a big baby or extra fluid. (i think it's just fat..as i feel my puffy back fat increasing;) 

I am leery about the size thing as i know how inaccurate the size estimations are this late in the pregnancy..and i don't want anyone using the "big baby" excuse to try and convince me of unnecessary interventions again (was induced last time and ended up with the csection b/c my "big" baby (was only 8-13) couldn't handle the pitocen:(  And cord prolapse, while very serious if it does occur, is relatively uncommon..and exists as a possible risk in all labours does it not?

I am so desperately wanting a VBAC and really want to avoid all interventions unless they are truly necessary..so my question to you ladies is..has anyone else been here before and how did you handle it? Am i being reckless by refusing the ultrasound in hopes of avoiding "reason" for induction??

 

thanks for any advice!!! 

 

ps- i have been measuring about 2 weeks large the whole pregnancy..and i did with my first as well.. 

 

oops..pps- i also saw my chiropractor yesterday (who has specialized in pregnant women and babies for about 20 years), who had a feel around and says she thinks my fluid level is fine, perhaps a tiny bit on the lower side, but still good.  And..my doctor did not have a feel..she just measured my belly and checked heartrate

JaysonandKristin

I've had polyhydramnios with both babies and it wasn't a big enough factor for me to allow interventions.  Of course it's serious, but like you said cord prolapse is rare.

Also, when I was being measured 2x/week with DS2, it would be there one day and by the next day be resolved.  Then, the next week I'd have it again...  When I ended up in a 2nd c/s, my OB commented on how much amniotic fluid was present.  We had already known, but she was shocked because I also had a 10lb .5oz baby boy in there as well.  That was the cause of MOST of my 65lb weight gain.

I don't know how accurate the u/s measurements are supposed to be, but I'm guessing they aren't all that accurate.   

nosoup4u

I dunno, that sounds sorta fishy. I always thought induction wasn't recommended for high amniotic fluid. If you are induced, what's her plan? Because breaking your water is definitely not recommended if AFI is high.

Her thinking you might have high AFI based on weight gain alone seems shady, also...and it sounds like she might be setting you up, if she's thinking big baby or high AFI. Is she okay with you going until 41-42 weeks? Does she know you've gained less weight with this pregnancy?

Cord prolapse has about the same occurrence as UR during VBAC, so it's not a huge risk. I turned down all late u/s during my VBAC pg also, for the same reasons as you - I didn't want them to have any excuse to panic. I did agree to non-stress tests (minus the u/s portion), which I was told is a good indicator of placenta and baby's health. I would keep refusing them and wait for labor, but that's me. HTH and good luck!

giraffe2112

Initially my doc thought I had too much fluid as well, at my last visit I was 35 weeks but measuring 39 weeks, an ultrasound revealed perfect amount of fluid as well as a perfect looking baby. They said she was weighing approximately 6lbs 12oz and said that a vbac wouldn't be possible is she weighed over 7lbs. I am not allowed to be induced because of a previous c-section. I am now trying to decide between a vbac and a RCS. Good luck to you hope everything works out!

juliane2004

What was your fluid level / AFI?

I was induced with my DD, when I had polyhydramnios. My AFI was 40.2 a few days before she was born. It was a failed induction, resulted in a c/s.

I was induced at 36w5d because of multiple reasons (poly, high blood pressure, baby failing NST) but I was already admitted in the hospital because my poly was so serious that I was a "walking timebomb". If my fluid broke on it's own, there was a possibility of a prolapsed cord and baby death because of the pressure and amount of fluid.

My point is, being induced will likely result in your water breaking at the hospital (not somewhere else where it could be dangerous).