Anyone else with low amniotic fluid level?

[Ice Cold Cube]

Hi all

I've just had a growth scan today and everything is looking good apart from my 'liquor volume' (amniotic fluid) has been recorded as 'low limits - AFI = 9cm'.

After a bit of research on the internet it looks like the normal range is from 8cm, so I'm worried now in case my levels drop any lower. In previous scans the level has always been recorded as 'average'.

Is anyone else in the same situation? I've drank about two pints of water in the past ten minutes in the hope of making myself super-hydrated, as I've read that that can help, but to be honest I always do drink a lot so don't think that could be the problem.

Everything has been going so well but this has really thrown me now. The sonographer didn't seem overly concerned but I've just left a message for my midwife anyway, as my next appointment with her isn't for another three weeks and I'd really like to speak to someone about this soon to see if maybe I can arrange for another scan in a week or so to see if there is an improvement.

Any advice would be much appreciated

Laura x

 

[Ice Cold Cube]

Anyone?

Lx

 

[tickledpink3]

I'm sorry I don't have any advice but didn't want to read and run

 

[Mercy2]

Hi hun, I have been fine the whole way through this pregnancy. always been told that the fluid level was fine. But the last scan I had she told me the fluid is lower than it should be! they didnt give me the AFI which has annoyed me, as I cant quantify how low it is!
I know that its less of a worry during 3rd tri, and usually they will perform a further scan at some point to keep a check on it! I have another scan at 39 weeks, but they arent sure I'll last that long lol!

I have been drinking tonnes too in an attempt to stay really hydrated, but its a tough one as drinking extra seems to make me live my life in the bathroom haha!

Hugs hun, and hopefully its nothing to worrying x x

 

[Ice Cold Cube]

Hi hun, I have been fine the whole way through this pregnancy. always been told that the fluid level was fine. But the last scan I had she told me the fluid is lower than it should be! they didnt give me the AFI which has annoyed me, as I cant quantify how low it is!
I know that its less of a worry during 3rd tri, and usually they will perform a further scan at some point to keep a check on it! I have another scan at 39 weeks, but they arent sure I'll last that long lol!

I have been drinking tonnes too in an attempt to stay really hydrated, but its a tough one as drinking extra seems to make me live my life in the bathroom haha!

Hugs hun, and hopefully its nothing to worrying x x

Sorry you are in the same postion. Looks like we're both going to be living in the loo until our little ones arrive!

Take care,

Laura x

 

[PrayinForBaby]

Hey hun...I was in your shoes just a few weeks ago...I went to my 35, 36, and 37 weeks visits to my OB and my FH kept measuring 36...which is okay, but the entire pregnancy I was measuring 2-4 cms ahead every appt...so I guess a red flag was thrown up to my OB, @ 37 wks exactly she sent me for a growth scan to check the AFI...mine was 7.9...which she said is low, but it wasnt low enough to warrant an induction or anything. Plus, she said that fluid levels will decrease slowly throughout 3rd tri but "normal" is between 10-18. So she said she wanted to try and keep my pregnant a little while longer since I had gestational diabetes she wanted to ensure that my babys lungs were good and developed. So @ 37+6 she sent me for another scan to check AFI...it went down to 6.3 plus my placenta was a grade 3 (dont know too much about this except that it was basically over cooked and had calcium deposits all over it) so she told me she wanted to go ahead and induce me. So I went upstairs to check in to be induced..they checked me and I was 3 cm dilated and 0% effaced, but all the delivery rooms were full, so they told me to walk around and call back every 30 minutes until they had a bed available that way I wouldn't have to go home and wait for a call back. Almost 2 hours went by and I started cramping really bad while walking, called up to see about a room, one was being cleaned for me so they told me to come back upstairs, I did...got into my room a few minutes later and was checked again, I was 4.5 cms dilated and 70% effaced...so my body started labor on its own. So they just broke my water (which hardly anything came out, just like a trickle but I guess that was due to low fluid) and gave me some pitocin to get things moving. 10 hours later my baby girl was born!

 

[PrayinForBaby]

Oh, and they do say the more you drink the more baby will pee and replenish some of the fluid, but especially after 35-36 weeks the baby usually doesnt replenish it or at least not enough..but u should stay away from caffeinated or really sugary beverages for it to make a difference

 

[angels3..]

I've got a scan tomorrow to check my fluid levels, hope they're ok or they wont give me an evc as my litle man is breech.
Really dont fancy a c section

 

[Welly]

Omg, I'm really worried now! At my 34 week growth scan my fluid maximum depth was 4cm!!! The sonographer commented that my fluid levels were low, but I didn't think any more of it as the midwife never even mentioned it at my follow up appointment.

Wonder if the midwife never noticed it??

 

[PrayinForBaby]

Omg, I'm really worried now! At my 34 week growth scan my fluid maximum depth was 4cm!!! The sonographer commented that my fluid levels were low, but I didn't think any more of it as the midwife never even mentioned it at my follow up appointment.

Wonder if the midwife never noticed it??

I would deff be calling and asking about it..they say when it gets less than 5cms that it significantly increases the risk for cord compression...EEK!

 

[Ice Cold Cube]

Hey hun...I was in your shoes just a few weeks ago...I went to my 35, 36, and 37 weeks visits to my OB and my FH kept measuring 36...which is okay, but the entire pregnancy I was measuring 2-4 cms ahead every appt...so I guess a red flag was thrown up to my OB, @ 37 wks exactly she sent me for a growth scan to check the AFI...mine was 7.9...which she said is low, but it wasnt low enough to warrant an induction or anything. Plus, she said that fluid levels will decrease slowly throughout 3rd tri but "normal" is between 10-18. So she said she wanted to try and keep my pregnant a little while longer since I had gestational diabetes she wanted to ensure that my babys lungs were good and developed. So @ 37+6 she sent me for another scan to check AFI...it went down to 6.3 plus my placenta was a grade 3 (dont know too much about this except that it was basically over cooked and had calcium deposits all over it) so she told me she wanted to go ahead and induce me. So I went upstairs to check in to be induced..they checked me and I was 3 cm dilated and 0% effaced, but all the delivery rooms were full, so they told me to walk around and call back every 30 minutes until they had a bed available that way I wouldn't have to go home and wait for a call back. Almost 2 hours went by and I started cramping really bad while walking, called up to see about a room, one was being cleaned for me so they told me to come back upstairs, I did...got into my room a few minutes later and was checked again, I was 4.5 cms dilated and 70% effaced...so my body started labor on its own. So they just broke my water (which hardly anything came out, just like a trickle but I guess that was due to low fluid) and gave me some pitocin to get things moving. 10 hours later my baby girl was born!

And she's gorgeous! It's good to hear a success story like yours x

 

[Ice Cold Cube]

I've got a scan tomorrow to check my fluid levels, hope they're ok or they wont give me an evc as my litle man is breech.
Really dont fancy a c section

I'm breech too. The sonographer did say that they probably won't offer to turn the baby because of the low fluid, but I am prepared for a section anyway as don't fancy the evc myself x

 

[Ice Cold Cube]

Omg, I'm really worried now! At my 34 week growth scan my fluid maximum depth was 4cm!!! The sonographer commented that my fluid levels were low, but I didn't think any more of it as the midwife never even mentioned it at my follow up appointment.

Wonder if the midwife never noticed it??

I would deff be calling and asking about it..they say when it gets less than 5cms that it significantly increases the risk for cord compression...EEK!

Yes that's what I've read too. Best to get it monitored I think x

 

[JynxPhD]

My little girl has 9cm and my boy has 14cm. Neither of my doctors are too concerned. They just said they would monitor it. My babies get biophysical profiles done every 7 days so as long as they keep passing them I won't worry either.

 

[Noirin]

had a scan today at 36+6 and my notes say max depth fluid was 5cm but wen he was scanin me he z theres plenty of fluid :S

 

[Ice Cold Cube]

had a scan today at 36+6 and my notes say max depth fluid was 5cm but wen he was scanin me he z theres plenty of fluid :S

That most likely means your biggest pocket of fluid was 5cm deep, which is good as there are a number of pockets so your total will be much higher. It's when the TOTAL fluid is low that there is a worry.

Laura x

 

[Noirin]

haha ah ok thnx, i started to freak there lol last week was 18cm i think lol so prob still tthe same...ill not flood the place wen my waters break at all lol

 

[Laura617]

I am in the exact same situation. I was measuring ahead so was sent for a scan at 31 weeks then saw my doctor and he said my fluid was on the low side of normal at 9.7. He said he wasn't worried about it but is doing scans every two weeks to keep an eye on it to see if it gets any lower.
I know from research that the amniotic fluid can replinish itself and the best thing to do is just rest. Its apparently not as big of a problem in the third trimester but if it gets below 5 then they start talking induction. So if you are overly concerned I would call your doctor (or midwife) and ask to see them sooner to have your questions answered. I have my next appointment on tuesday and will know more then so if you are interested in what info I get I will be happy to share with you.

 

[PrayinForBaby]

had a scan today at 36+6 and my notes say max depth fluid was 5cm but wen he was scanin me he z theres plenty of fluid :S

That most likely means your biggest pocket of fluid was 5cm deep, which is good as there are a number of pockets so your total will be much higher. It's when the TOTAL fluid is low that there is a worry.

Laura x

exactly!! they measure 4 pockets so you're biggest pocket of fluid was probably 5 cm

 

[Kaitybug]

Let's see, four weeks ago my OB told me that I was measuring on the low-side of "average" for fluid, and it was 8 cm (can't remember the exact decimal number), and she wanted me to come back for another scan a week later. At the next scan, my fluid was measuring 7 something cm, and she then put me on bed rest and told me to have a glass of water in my hands "at all times." The third week my fluid was up to 9 something, and she didn't seem too concerned any longer. The fourth week all she said was that my "fluid looked good." I have no idea was raised my levels, the rest or the hydration. I hope you fluid also goes up and that they don't have to induce you too early. I am being induced next week, but it's for high blood pressure, not fluid.