What's a "good" amnio fluid number?

[dooney]

My first was 4, which they called "low end of normal"
My second was 7, which they called "better"
Yesterday it was 8.5

So what should it be?

[MoonWillow]

Good question! I honestly think it depends on who you ask. My 7 was the "low end of normal" and my 4 was "low".
This is a major sore spot with me since it's their basis for wanting to induce labor.

[dooney]

I'll ask next time. I always forget to ask.

[timneh_mom]

Danielle - I can't help with the numbers, but it's good to see your fluid levels coming up! Hope things continue to go well for you!! (MOtherWren, you too!! I don't want another induction either!!)

[ktmelody]

I am having weekly NST and BPP. They told me they want all 4 quadrants of fluid to total between 10 and 20.
But anything below 5 was real low. Good luck!

[maxmama]

Not your DDC --

At term, from 5 to 24 is normal. It can be normal to have bigger pockets earlier, but generally less than 5 is oligohydramnios.

[e123vg]

mine was at 8, my ob said an 8 is almost a 10 so she's happy. i wouldn't worry.

[dooney]

That's what I've been labeled with - oligohydramnios. It's more annoying than worrisome. I know I'm fine and he's fine. I'm just glad DH has good insurance.

[MoonWillow]

I just bought myself another week of being left alone after measuring 5 cm again today. I'd have refused induction anyway but it's nice to avoid conflict.

[Zanymom]

I had an apt today and my measurement was 8. My dr. said that 4 or 5 wasn't good and if it got to that point they would consider putting me in the hospital to monitor levels or induce me.

I don't know what to think. With my last baby they didn't check my fluid levels and by the time I went into labor I pretty much didn't have anything left and it was causing fetal distress. Her heart rate kept dropping below 100. They were close to doing a c-section...I am glad that didn't happen. Oh....she also had pooped, so that wasn't good.

I don't want to be induced, BUT...I am more likely to agree to an induction this time since my last labor was so hard for both me and my baby. And it was scary watching her heart rate fall like that and knowing she was in trouble.

If it did come to the point of an induction than I would first have them try stripping my membranes and putting the gel on my cervix. And give me a day to go into labor. If that didn't work, than I would let them break my water....and as a last resort...the pitocen....I HATE that stuff.

[MoonWillow]

Originally Posted by Zanymom

I had an apt today and my measurement was 8. My dr. said that 4 or 5 wasn't good and if it got to that point they would consider putting me in the hospital to monitor levels or induce me.

I don't know what to think. With my last baby they didn't check my fluid levels and by the time I went into labor I pretty much didn't have anything left and it was causing fetal distress. Her heart rate kept dropping below 100. They were close to doing a c-section...I am glad that didn't happen. Oh....she also had pooped, so that wasn't good.

I don't want to be induced, BUT...I am more likely to agree to an induction this time since my last labor was so hard for both me and my baby. And it was scary watching her heart rate fall like that and knowing she was in trouble.

If it did come to the point of an induction than I would first have them try stripping my membranes and putting the gel on my cervix. And give me a day to go into labor. If that didn't work, than I would let them break my water....and as a last resort...the pitocen....I HATE that stuff.

It's really such a sketchy situation. Different providers go by different numbers and it's hard to get a true measurement from the AFI.
My old OB induced me for levels like I have now. My current midwife did a palpation test (rolling the baby back and forth) and admitted that there felt like a lot of fluid, more than is showing up on the AFI. I asked if she was sure it wasn't fat and she said that yes she could tell the difference. Also she admitted to inducing women due to low fluid only to have them gush rivers when their water broke (under the orders of Dr. Crisis of course).
I understand they can do something called an amnio-infusion though (injecting saline giving the babe/cord the cushion they need) after the membranes have already ruptured. I just don't get why they wouldn't do this when they KNOW there's little or no fluid, especially if the baby is in distress. It sounds like that could have helped in your case Zanymom! I wonder if they are planning to do that since they say they will break your water. Otherwise why would they let what little they think is in there out? "Hmm there's not enough of it so we better let out the rest"