Talk to me about low fluid levels

BzeetyD · February 2014

38w3d today - had an ultrasound yesterday and things look good. Baby bean is in the 39th% for growth, had my 2nd NST today - it was all lovely, got my cervix checked, things are progressing and everything looks just as it should - but my amniotic fluid level is "a little low" (doc's words).

Our doc is "not nervous or concerned" about it, is playing things "ultra conservative" because of our history and wants me to increase my fluid intake and do another u/s to check levels next week. Cool. Can do.

She mentioned that if things look the same next week we'd talk induction. Cool. Can do.

I'm feeling really OK about it all. We're so far along. Any more time bean cooks in there is great but if bean needs out, then that's OK too.

Just wondering what other ladies' experiences were with low fluid levels and if increasing your levels helped or what happened. Thanks in advance!

BzeetyD · February 2014

KatyBriggs said:

I have no experience, but I just wanted to say good luck!

Thank you, I appreciate it.

KaraLeigh115 · February 2014

I'm 37 weeks today and had an appt 2 days ago. My one before that was at 35 weeks.
Dr told me that between those two weeks I have less fluid but she isn't too concerned either... However it's worrying me. My LO is in the 99 percentile.

kittieluvz · February 2014

Had low levels for a while. Still monitoring it, but increasing your water intake will definitely help. My lowest levels were at a 4.7 I think and I (what felt like) quadrupled my water intake and got my levels up to a 11 in two weeks. Still drinking lots of water and levels are steadily at 11-13... idk what your afi# is but they don't sound too worried about it. But kick up your water intake and LO will have a lil more bake time

cauliflowereyes · February 2014

No experience with the low fluid levelsbut wanted to pass along best wishes anyhow! Sounds like your doc is definitely monitoring it though - it sounds like a not-uncommon thing this late in the game from what I've heard!

As far as upping your water intake, ever crush berries and herbs up and add them to water? It's DELICIOUS and helps me remember to drink! I like to smash up a handful of raspberries and a few leaves of basil, plus a splash of lime or lemon juice and add it to a big bottle of water. It's a bit of a treat!

BzeetyD · February 2014

cauliflowereyes said:

No experience with the low fluid levelsbut wanted to pass along best wishes anyhow! Sounds like your doc is definitely monitoring it though - it sounds like a not-uncommon thing this late in the game from what I've heard! As far as upping your water intake, ever crush berries and herbs up and add them to water? It's DELICIOUS and helps me remember to drink! I like to smash up a handful of raspberries and a few leaves of basil, plus a splash of lime or lemon juice and add it to a big bottle of water. It's a bit of a treat!

Thanks for the tips! I actually got a water carafe (thingy?) herb infuser late this summer and I should break it out again.

Now if only I didn't have to pee every 10 min already!

BzeetyD · February 2014

kittieluvz said:

Had low levels for a while. Still monitoring it, but increasing your water intake will definitely help. My lowest levels were at a 4.7 I think and I (what felt like) quadrupled my water intake and got my levels up to a 11 in two weeks. Still drinking lots of water and levels are steadily at 11-13... idk what your afi# is but they don't sound too worried about it. But kick up your water intake and LO will have a lil more bake time

Thanks! That's reassuring. I've got a lot of liquids at my desk already today. Hoping to bake this bean as long as possible (within reason)

.

ramfan05 · February 2014

I had low fluid with DS, and drinking more water definitely helped. It was 3.5 years ago now, so I don't remember what my numbers were or anything like that, but I do remember that I doubled the amount of water I was drinking at work during the day, plus any water that I drank at home in the mornings and evenings, and it helped by the time I had my next u/s to check on it.

Good for you for having such a positive outlook about the whole thing, and good luck!

ras26 · February 2014

I had low levels with DD too, but don't remember the numbers. I wasn't far enough along that they would induce, so I upped my water intake by as much as I could handle, and it got better. I do know another mom who was scheduled for a RCS and they bumped her CS up a week or more because of VERY low fluids. It sounds like your Dr. is on top of it, so just drink like crazy!!

keags5496 · February 2014

Like a lot of PP, no experience but wanted to pass on my T&Ps. Sounds like you're in great hands and what's best for you and baby will be done. Good luck!

amb2013 · February 2014

Hi! I had the opposite worry recently, was told I was borderline high last week, I think they said 24cm. I worried for a week of course, and then this week they were 18. I asked where did the extra fluid go? The tech said that sometimes if they measure when they just ingested fluid it will be low then when they expel fluid or empty the bladder, it goes back up. So maybe this info will put you at ease. But I've read a few things that upping your water can help when it's low.

djtippietoes · February 2014

At my lowest, my fluid level was a 5. I drank a lot of water after that and it went up to a 13 at the highest, several weeks later. I was trying to drink a gallon a day.

Nikkijo1022 · February 2014

Mine was at 6.5 last Friday at triage when I came to be monitored for a bad NST (at 38+4 weeks) Baby's heart rate kept dropping so she played it safe and induced. I had a cold the whole week and know I was dehydrated. Kind of wishes they would have given me fluids etc to see if things went up bc now my guy is in the NICU. He could have used one more week on the inside!) stay on top of being monitored and hydrated and GL!!

rexgirl06 · February 2014

Yup. Drink drink drink and they encourage resting especially on your left side. At 30 weeks I was an 8 and some change. Drank and reduced activity (no more gym) and it got back up to 13. Went back down to a 7 after a weekend where I knew I wasn't drinking enough and I've managed to keep it between 10 and 13. Nurses that check and do the NST's twice a week seem content with it. I have an US Monday and the doc will make a recommendation then to induce at 38W or continue monitoring until the end. I'm told 13 is still on the lower end, but not into the lower single digits where they are more concerned.

Just curious, has it seemed to affect your ultrasound pictures? This is our first. We're not sure if both the doc and the hospital has old machines or if it's really the low fluid affecting the picture quality.

Valentinebaby2 · February 2014

I've been dealing with low levels as well. I was at 7ish so I upped my water intake to as much as I could handle and went back a half a week later. Luckily it got up to 11ish. So I didn't have to get it tested for another week. I'll be going in Friday to see how things are going. I'll be at 38w 6d.
If it drops below 5, that's when they start talking induction
Carry a water bottle with you everywhere you go! Drink up!!

Valentinebaby2 · February 2014

In terms of ultrasound pictures, my u/s technician said it was hard to get a good pic cause of the low fluid levels.

BzeetyD · February 2014

rexgirl06 said:

Yup. Drink drink drink and they encourage resting especially on your left side. At 30 weeks I was an 8 and some change. Drank and reduced activity (no more gym) and it got back up to 13. Went back down to a 7 after a weekend where I knew I wasn't drinking enough and I've managed to keep it between 10 and 13. Nurses that check and do the NST's twice a week seem content with it. I have an US Monday and the doc will make a recommendation then to induce at 38W or continue monitoring until the end. I'm told 13 is still on the lower end, but not into the lower single digits where they are more concerned.
Just curious, has it seemed to affect your ultrasound pictures? This is our first. We're not sure if both the doc and the hospital has old machines or if it's really the low fluid affecting the picture quality.

I'm not sure. We could see things pretty clearly but baby is SO smooshed in there it's hard for us (not the tech) to figure out exactly what was what. Also our bean is engaged, so his or her head is down and fairly compressed by my ute. We couldn't get any good face images (only 2d not 3d) because of their position, but that wasn't really the point of this u/s - KWIM?

Want a personalized experience?

Talk to me about low fluid levels

Re: Talk to me about low fluid levels

Choose Another Board

Search Boards