Exciting day today - had an u/s which showed fluid at a 4 - anything under 5 is considered low and MFM (who did the u/s) immediately told us we were going to be induced and that they had talked to my "dr" and everything. Called my MW practice and they hadn't even been notified. No idea who MFM had talked to. So, we went to the MW office and discussed the situation at length. They said if the fluid were 2 or lower they'd automatically recommend induction but being a 4, their policy is to inform us of everything we need to know, and let us decide. Very difficult decision but we ultimately decided not to induce at this time, I am hydrating like hell and we will have a repeat u/s Thursday. One thing that swayed us in the direction of not inducing was when they told us that if I had that reading at only 36 weeks MFM would not recommend induction, they'd recommend bedrest. At 36 weeks (only 1 week shy of full-term) the risk of delivering preterm outweighs the risk of low fluid. That kind of put it into perspective for me/us.
I would really rather not induce unless absolutely necessary, for a number of reasons. Still, there are the "what-ifs" floating around in our brains. But we can change our mind at any given time.
Would love to hear other stories/info about low fluid.
Oh, and I had my first internal today. I'm only 1cm (MAYBE could be stretched to a 2), 20%-50% effaced, and my cervix is "soft" Are you f-ing kidding me?? 40w 4d, having had contrax off & on for 2-3 weeks and I'm only 1 cm and hardly effaced?
NOT pleased. Oh, AND baby's estimated weight is 9b 4oz. No, thank you! Hoping that's way off.
ETA: BPP was perfect, and had a NST at the midwife practice that was great.
Re: 40w 4d & low fluid
Sorry lady... I hope your little lady makes her appearance soon, I still think it will be on my birthday, Thursday
good luck
Savannah
Callista
Baby Trail Blog
"Someday we will look at our babies and know it will be worth it. If it was easy, we would not have had our babies, the babies we were meant to have." From Amy052006
I didn't have low fluid but I was induced and had a great birth with Lexie. I started at a 1cm. Cyrotec jump started my labor.
Did they try to strip your membrane?
Just remember you could have been at a 4 for a long time and never checked- I wouldn't be too worried. Good luck- no matter what this baby is coming soon!!
Married 8.13.2005, M/C 12/8/06- 5 weeks, M/C 2/27/07- 7 weeks, M/C w/ D&C 8/10/09-6.5 weeks *Charles Lawrence born 5/2/08 @ 3:14am, 7lb 8oz, 20.5 inches. Clomid, Crinone and baby aspirin. *Alexandra Claire born 9/14/10 @ 9:52am 6lb 14oz, 20.5 inches. Femara, Crinone and baby aspirin.
Hmmm...I think I'm with you on this one. I almost feel like this falls into the category of "better off not knowing" or go digging and you will find something. That was one reason I was always glad i did not have a need for BPPs. I realize my philosophy on that is probably in the very slim minority.
I say hydrate like hell as you are. Break out the epo, have a good strong "o", give that baby a good talking to and pray for labor
Good luck, seasoul!
I'm so sorry! I've been thinking of you bunches. I had low-ish fluid with Elena and they let me be...as you said hydrate hydrate hydrate.
9lb 4oz sounds very unfun. ;-) Ditto with hoping that's way off!
Hopefully that 1 cm will get bigger ASAP. Fingers crossed for you, my friend!
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Our Thanksgiving Day baby 11/22/07
Pregnant with #2 with LPD, uterine polyp/hysteroscopy, DOR (AMH = 0.17), 2 c/ps
Our early Christmas present 12/9/10
We talked about it, but ultimately decided against it for now...
LO #1 - 1 unmedicated/self-monitored IUI w/ donor sperm.
LO #2 - 1 m/c, 2 BFNs, 4th IUI worked (unmedicated/self-monitored with new donor sperm).
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We opted to do BPPs b/c of my age (though today's would have happened no matter what, simply b/c I'm overdue)...which makes this situation difficult b/c here we chose to do this on the off chance that we might catch something life threatening, and now we have...but we're not psyched about how to go about fixing it. You know?
LO #1 - 1 unmedicated/self-monitored IUI w/ donor sperm.
LO #2 - 1 m/c, 2 BFNs, 4th IUI worked (unmedicated/self-monitored with new donor sperm).
Life is beautiful!
I just read an article about this... was it on the briobirth website?? Anyway, they were saying that low fluid near the end of pregnancy was often a reason for induction but it was rarely something that was actually necessary. I'll see if i can find it...
ETA: Hmm okay this is the article. I'm not sure this is the most credible of sources. She's been a midwife for 30 years but I believe this is her opinion mostly. Anyway, it's a quick read: https://www.glorialemay.com/blog/?p=60
I had low fluid beginning at 30w5d. It was found in a routine check after I had a spike in BP. I was put on immediate bedrest and had twice weekly NSTs, weekly twice weekly amniotic fluid index checks and weekly umbilical doppler checks. The level that put me on bedrest was 6 I think. The combo can be serious (high BP+low fluid can lead to IGUR depending on when it starts, cord complications/compression, still birth).
Low fluid at and after term is not uncommon though. As for the actual level and what to do, I also chose not to immediately induce. I was at 4 once. The peri wanted to induce immediately and I was preterm (35 weeks I think). My OB decided against it and added a monitoring appointment instead. At the next check two days later I was at 7, which was the highest level we'd seen since 30 weeks.
We planned to induce at 38w5d if fluid remained above 5 but it dipped to just barely 3 at 38w even and I went in that afternoon. I was 50% effaced and 1 cm dilated, labored for 4 days and had a cesarean at 38w5d (at my request) when I failed to make any progress whatsoever. When the OB attempted to break DS's water, nothing came out. When he was born, there was no fluid. His cord was also short (which we didn't know prior to birth) and we are damn lucky it all worked out.
Hydrate, pay attention to kick counts and hope for the best. Good luck!