Low Amniotic Fluid Level

I also had the exact same thing happen to me. I had complete trust in my doctor who did not seem overly concerned. I opted to wait and have another ultrasound. He told me that I needed to carry a water bottle with me EVERYWHERE. By drinking so much water, my next ultrasound could not have been any more perfect. It was a little scary and having to pee more than I already was was a little bit of a pain in the butt...but it was for a great cause. Good luck.

Hi A.,
I had this problem in my 3rd trimester after a car wreck. There are many levels of "low". Most women are on a pretty broad range of amniotic fluid. I was told that level 5 is too low. I would recommend seeing the specialist. Drink LOTS of water everyday to help keep the fluid at it's level it is now. I think it would make you feel better to know what you are dealing with though. Even though everything you have read is terrifying please remember to stay positive and take it one day at a time. They are specialists for a reason and can help you through this worrisome time.

I've known of two cases with this and both were not good but on the other hand have heard of some where the fluid changed a little so I would recommend seeing the peri-natalogist and putting your mind at ease. You will be thinking all sorts of things until you do. My daughter had to see them with both of her pregnancies and she went to one over by OP Regional who was so very nice and explained things, etc. The regular sonograms told her that the first baby had spina biffa and then something else and then on and on until she saw the specialist and the child is fine and extremely bright. So you need to put your mind at ease by seeing a good peri doctor. Like you were told, and when I had my 8 kids I never ever was told this, but you need to drink fluids and that helps with amniotic fluid as well as contractions later. Never was told that when I had early contractions back in the 'old days'. I hope everything goes well but don't worry-if you can-leave this little one in the hands of the one who is the Creator.

I had ogliohydramanos in the third tri-mester, but may have started late in the second. The biggest thing you can do is chug lots of water!! I also ended up on bed rest for the last month. In the end I labored with monitors on me and finally ended up with c-section. I had an infected placenta, so my little guy was in the NICU on antibiotics for a week. He now has a 4-5 month delay we think was caused by the infection, but he is responding well to therapy. I don't mean to scare you--each situation is different. That's just my experience.

C.

I am 27 weeks pregnant and so I do read all the pregnancy literature and just took a childbirth education class where we were talking about the level of amniotic fluid as well. As far as I know does the level of the amniotic fluid vary because it renews itself. It could be that right when you had your examination the fluid was low because of that or the baby had absorbed most of it and was ready to give it out again. The level really does vary throughout the day. So I would try to get a second ultra sound before four weeks (it seems like a long wait when you are worried) and maybe take the referral to the perinatalogist. They have way better machines and usually take more time too! In the meantime try to drink lots of water and rest. All the best, Maren

If there is a leak, you can very well get an infection in your sac, making you extremely sick and harming the baby. I lost my first baby at 5 months this way.
You probaby just need to wait it out. There is really nothing they can do. Try to get off your feet as much as you can. Prop your feet up higher than your stomach. This will help the leaking to stop, if there is any. And the more you lay down (which really needs to be all day at this point), and suggesting there may be a leak, your amnitotic sac can repair itself, then produce more fluid and save your baby.
I am so sorry you are having to go through this. I wish you the best of luck and many blessings.

I just wanted to let you know that I've been though something simlar & completly different at the same time. By no means am I saying this is your problem, I just want you to know what I went through.
I had a placental abruption that healed it's self at 20 weeks. & had a dime sized amount of fluid. My placenta wasn't working properly after the abruption. Eventually I had no fluid at all (my water broke at 25 weeks) & ended up with an inter-uterine infection at 28 weeks gestation (my oldest son was born at 28 weeks). He is now a perfectly normal healthy boy.
Keep drinking lots of water & rest as much as you can (especially on your left side).
I have been to 2 perinatologists: one was horrable & the other was awesome.Seeing a perinatologist is no different than seeing an optomitrist instead of your regular dr. for your eyes. They are more specialized & knowledgeable (sp?). Trust you gut feelings.

God bless!

I had this with my second pregnancy.
Drink, drink, DRINK.
You will feel like you are always going to the bathroom but it really helped me.

Best of luck through the second half of your pregnancy!

I had low amniotic fluids during the beginning of my 3rd trimester (1st pregnancy). I was told to drink lots of fluids and to rest as much as possible or else. I didn't like the "or else" phase. Since that pregnancy, I've always made it a habit to carry a jug of water everywhere.

I had low fluid with my son as well. I was closer to the end of my pregnancy (during the last month). The best thing you can do is get lots of rest. I was basically put on bedrest and my fluid was at a 7 (10 being good and 5 being bad). I had to go to the perinatal unit twice a week to have stress tests done. If you are concerned about it, go to the perinatal dr. They will tell you what you can do to help the fluid from going down more. It is something to definitely keep an eye on, especially since you have so much more time to go. Good luck! S.

With my first son we found at our 20 week US that he had a cleft lip so we saw all sorts of Dr.s and sepcialists with him - it was insane. I don;t recall at this point what they were looking for exaclty, haha! (amazing how you forget things over time that you think you'll always just remember - note: write everything down! ha) With my second son I actually had too much fluid towards the end and I did see a specialist for it. I also googled what too much could mean and I was anxious to see the specialist to rule out these horrible things. In my opinion you should do the same, if there is anything that can be done about the situtation. If things aren't going to change no matter what the specialist tells you then just wait. Did your Dr. tell you to drink more fluids? I always thought I was drinking plenty of water but really I wasn't.

HI,

I don;t want to scare you , but i would see the specialist ASAP- I can this same problem w/my 2nd and it is a very serious situtation. We made it to 37 weeks before they induced me, i was admitted to the hosiptal twice prior to induction for this issue. I went to high-risk 2-3 times per week with ultrasounds and non-stress tests done ea and every time to keep an eye on the fluid. At 37 weeks, my son still had seious complications (we almost lost him) and was x-ferred to another hospital b/c the one we had him at couldn't help him and provide the meds and repirators he needed

In the meantime, please please please take it as easy as you can (put yourself on bedrest if possible if you dr already hasn't) and drink TONS of Fluids.

I don't know how the drs and hospitals are here since he was born in Northern VA and then transferred to Georgetown University Hosital in the hands of the top drs and specialists in the highest level of critial NICU (they have 3 levels on NICU there to the point the do surgery right there in NICU on babies just born). He was 1 month old before he could come home, 1 1/2 weeks before they could even start tube feedings due to havng to be in a drug-induced coma and respiratior mimking the womb)

Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions. Keep off your feet as much as possible and drink TONS of fluids

Best of luck to you and your family- my heart is with you

They kept trying to tell me that, too, but my doc got me a 2nd level ultrasound at St. Luke's that showed that there was more amniotic fluid than the regular ultrasound could see. if your doc isnt worried, I wouldnt be either.

I had low amniotic fluid with my second daughter, but it wasn't discovered until about 30 weeks into my pregnancy. I was hospitalized for a week and the fluid increased enough for me to be on bed rest at home. I would definitely go see the specialist to get a second opinion, plus they can more closely monitor you. (There are multiple things that can cause this, yet in my case they were never able to pin point it.) I was induced at 37 weeks and had a beautiful healthy baby girl! (They had given me an injection to help her lungs mature faster and she was able to go home with us two days after she was born.) ...I will say a prayer for you and your family. Get lots of rest and drink plenty of water.

Drink water all day lot's of it.

I didn't have the problem with low amnioctic fluid but I had other concerns with my pregnancies that I would read information on-line and would end up freaking myself out. I had to learn to not read and also not believe everything I read. Keep in mind that every pregnancy is different and if the Dr. didn't seem concern then I would trust them. If they had a slight concern they would do everything they could to make sure everything was alright or could face legal action. If I were you, I would ask the dr. to order another US before the 4 weeks to ease your mind. I will pray for you and your baby. I wish you peace during your pregnancy.