Question about pregnancy....I'm clueless

jenbabe · July 2012

We met our birthmom today for the last time before delivery. I don't know much about pregnancy and maybe some of you don't either but I don't really feel like I belong on the 3rd Tri boards. Our bmom hasn't been to the doctor a lot until recently. She didn't find out she was pregnant til she was 4 months along and then only went once or twice to make sure everything was okay. She has finally started going every week now the past month and the doctors aren't concerned that she had no prenatal care for the first half. She has had one previous pregnancy that was stillborn at 36 weeks.

She went to the doctor Tuesday and her amniotic fluid was low so she went back Wed for a non stress test. Everything was okay but they still wanted her back again Thursday. They said everything was better today and she didn't need to come back until Monday. She will be 38 weeks on Saturday. No signs of early labor such as contractions or dilation. Do you think this baby is coming early or will they induce her because of the low amniotic fluid? Is that something that will be fine now that she got it back to a normal level? She doesn't want to be induced so she wants to delay the birth as long as possible and let this little guy come on his own. I want him to come soon but my sub for work is gone on vacation all next week and I'm not sure if I should call around for back up or just wait and see what happens. She isn't showing any signs of labor so we have some time right?

srmmm09 · July 2012

I mean, this is just based on my friends' and my experience (okay, there is a study that backs it up), but I think we overemphasize in our minds how frequently people go into labor early. The statistic is first-time laborers, if allowed, average 8 days past their due dates.

Your e-mom has had a pregnancy before, but I doubt she went into spontaneous labor, right? I was induced with the LO I placed, and with DS I went 4 days late.

Of course, in your specific case, who knows? It seems like it wouldn't hurt too much to be prepared (other than making you impatient if nothing happens).

hbbmama · July 2012

Hi, So I ended up on this board because I am pregnant and can't sleep at night at the moment and I have already gone through my news pages, FB etc. I have been reading up on pregnancy while I experience it. I'm not a medical professional, but can offer my own experiences as examples.
More and more research shows that you do not want babies to come early unless they have to, so the longer she keeps the baby in there the better, they won't let her go over to a stage where it gets potentially harmful for the baby so try not to worry and try not to wish that the baby comes early.
Most of the prenatal care you get is just checking to make sure everything is alright, that you are healthy and the pregnancy is healthy (not ectopic, viable etc).
Its pretty anti-climactic at visits actually, I was expecting more and more invasive procedures earlier on, but in some ways its nice things aren't too invasive. I've had a healthy pregnancy so far, and for the majority of visits you go in, they check your vitals, make sure there is a heart beat, if all are good they ask if you have any questions and send you on your way until next month. Besides extras like gestational diabetes tests, anatomical ultrasound. If you and baby are healthy they don't need to see you very often until the very end. So if the doctors aren't worried then try to relax because she is probably healthy. If she had her first doctors visit at 4 months, then she didn't miss that many. Again, I thought they would want to see me as soon as the pregnancy test came back positive, but they waited until 8 weeks, then appointments every 4 weeks after that for most of the pregnancy. Like you mentioned when they were concerned they had her come in more often, so it sounds like they are on top of things. Good luck!

meganroselee · July 2012

hbreivik:
Hi, So I ended up on this board because I am pregnant and can't sleep at night at the moment and I have already gone through my news pages, FB etc. I have been reading up on pregnancy while I experience it. I'm not a medical professional, but can offer my own experiences as examples.
More and more research shows that you do not want babies to come early unless they have to, so the longer she keeps the baby in there the better, they won't let her go over to a stage where it gets potentially harmful for the baby so try not to worry and try not to wish that the baby comes early.
Most of the prenatal care you get is just checking to make sure everything is alright, that you are healthy and the pregnancy is healthy (not ectopic, viable etc).
Its pretty anti-climactic at visits actually, I was expecting more and more invasive procedures earlier on, but in some ways its nice things aren't too invasive. I've had a healthy pregnancy so far, and for the majority of visits you go in, they check your vitals, make sure there is a heart beat, if all are good they ask if you have any questions and send you on your way until next month. Besides extras like gestational diabetes tests, anatomical ultrasound. If you and baby are healthy they don't need to see you very often until the very end. So if the doctors aren't worried then try to relax because she is probably healthy. If she had her first doctors visit at 4 months, then she didn't miss that many. Again, I thought they would want to see me as soon as the pregnancy test came back positive, but they waited until 8 weeks, then appointments every 4 weeks after that for most of the pregnancy. Like you mentioned when they were concerned they had her come in more often, so it sounds like they are on top of things. Good luck!

. This is all true with the exception of maternal history of intrauterine fetal demise. At 38 weeks the baby is almost certainly term and with low amniotic fluid is showing signs of a not favorable intrauterine environment. Clinically in this situation, induction makes sense, i would think things are going to happen sooner rather than later so i would get ready for it. GL!

meganroselee · July 2012

hbreivik:
Hi, So I ended up on this board because I am pregnant and can't sleep at night at the moment and I have already gone through my news pages, FB etc. I have been reading up on pregnancy while I experience it. I'm not a medical professional, but can offer my own experiences as examples.
More and more research shows that you do not want babies to come early unless they have to, so the longer she keeps the baby in there the better, they won't let her go over to a stage where it gets potentially harmful for the baby so try not to worry and try not to wish that the baby comes early.
Most of the prenatal care you get is just checking to make sure everything is alright, that you are healthy and the pregnancy is healthy (not ectopic, viable etc).
Its pretty anti-climactic at visits actually, I was expecting more and more invasive procedures earlier on, but in some ways its nice things aren't too invasive. I've had a healthy pregnancy so far, and for the majority of visits you go in, they check your vitals, make sure there is a heart beat, if all are good they ask if you have any questions and send you on your way until next month. Besides extras like gestational diabetes tests, anatomical ultrasound. If you and baby are healthy they don't need to see you very often until the very end. So if the doctors aren't worried then try to relax because she is probably healthy. If she had her first doctors visit at 4 months, then she didn't miss that many. Again, I thought they would want to see me as soon as the pregnancy test came back positive, but they waited until 8 weeks, then appointments every 4 weeks after that for most of the pregnancy. Like you mentioned when they were concerned they had her come in more often, so it sounds like they are on top of things. Good luck!

. This is all true with the exception of maternal history of intrauterine fetal demise. At 38 weeks the baby is almost certainly term and with low amniotic fluid is showing signs of a not favorable intrauterine environment. Clinically in this situation, induction makes sense, i would think things are going to happen sooner rather than later so i would get ready for it. GL!

kacelle · July 2012

I had a NST at 41 weeks because they were concerned about low amniotic fluid. Had the fluid been too low, they would have induced immediately (which would be likely even at 38 weeks). Since it looked fine, they let me wait a week and be induced at 42 weeks. If they let her go home after the NST, I'd think they aren't too concerned about inducing early. I'm not sure if low amniotic fluid is typically linked to "early" (38 weeks) labour.

silliestbunny · July 2012

If you want some support/idea about the low amniotic fluid and history of still born, call your OB/GYN... assuming you have a decent relationship. She may take your call or email and give you some peace of mind and/or questions to ask. I have found my personal medical team has been so supportive of helping us navigate adoption in this way.

On the practical side, be ready DD2 went 3 weeks early. She had a scheduled C (various reasons) set for 39 weeks but never made it. We weren't packed.... and arrived right as DD2 was born. Had we been there earlier, I may have been at the delivery. (In retrospect, it was best to happen just as it did.... but that's not my point). Conversely DD1 BM was probably a week late.

I am excited for you

MauidAims · July 2012

I have one bio son so I can try to help. Every PG and every person is different when it comes to labor. However, most women will tell you that the 2nd, 3rd child etc always come faster than the first, Meaning earlier and faster labor. Of course this isnt true all the time. Late in the 3rd trimester you do go to the Dr every week. What kind of medical does she have? I only ask because I hope it is a good one and they dont over look the low amniotic fluid. Its important. Also that baby can come at any time. I was 39 weeks and 0 dilated and within 4 hours I went to +2 (meaning his head was out). So labor is never predictable

In all honesty, i would let him cook as long as possible as its better for him unless of course they think something is wrong. Has she given you an idea of how much he/she weighs? is the BM on bedrest?

KaliChick · July 2012

Lurking .. (sorry)

I had very low amniotic fluid at 36 weeks. Was told to go home, pack my bags, drink a ton of water and report back the next morning. I did as I was told and I ended up being induced at 39 weeks 4days due to blood pressure issues (that showed up that week).

A friend of mine also had fluid issues and went to 39 weeks as well when she spontaneously went into labor.

If her fluid levels are back up to normal levels they won't induce for that reason (they may for others but not low fluid). If they remain low or drop below 5, they will likely induce.

Hope that helps.

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