how to increase amniotic fluid level?

[plummum]

I saw my back-up ob/gyn today (now switched to midwife for primary care) who measured my amniotic fluid at 7-8. From Bradley class I know we like it above 10, but shouldn't let ourselves be ordered round (eg induced) unless it's under 5. This Dr says this is a bit low for where I'm at [ 33 weeks ] and he expects to see these kinds of levels after week 37.

For now the kinds of ordering round he is threatening sound like bed-rest which really wouldn't suit me as I am very active and have plenty to do before the little one gets here!

So I would like to get my amniotic fluid up over the next week, preferably without lying around on my left side all the time. I think I may well be dehydrated. Thoughts I have so far include drinking lots of water and sports drinks, comsuming soups, vegetables and fruit, and avoiding breakfast cereal (breakfast cereal seems to dehydrate me, perhaps because I eat it in excess??)

Any other suggestions or thoughts?

I will see my midwife on Tuesday so can get advice from her then too.

Hope you're all well!

[Momsteader]

I'm subscribing...I just got home from my first NST and I have low fluid around one babe too! I'll be watching to see what the suggestions are!

[Emma's_Mommy]

drink lots and lots of water.....its the best natural way i have heard of!

[Yuba_River]

A friend who went through this was advised to lie on her left side for 10 minutes or so every couple of hours. I know you're not crazy about doing a lot of that, but it sounds like even a few minutes can make a difference. Good luck, mama!

[Alohamelly]

Yes, water water water. Drink as much as you can. I had low amniotic fluid in my pregnancy with my DD (due to PROM, resealing and then the fluid never getting back up to normal amounts). Avoid caffiene if you aren't already. I know you said you're active, but slowing down a teeny bit now can't hurt either.

[plummum]

Midwife also said rest and water, and also looked concerned. I've found a couple of interesting papers on it, suggesting hydrating all week / all day can help:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/en...&dopt=Abstract
http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/amniot.../a/aaoligo.htm

So I am drinking *lots* of water and reducing my exercise now. Had a good lot of lying on my side today too!

Recheck ultrasound is Friday so will be drinking lots till then.

I guess the synopsis is that if you can increase the levels by drinking a lot it's probably just dehydration. (Oh yes, also found a study which says it's more common in summer).

[chlobo]

I'm just curious. Why did your backup OB decide to do an u/s?

I've gotten constant comments that I look small & when my MW measured me at my first appointment I measured small. My OB, however, has only measured me once and didn't think anything was amiss. I'm wondering if I should request an u/s? I don't want to risk out of homebirth but I also am afraid of low amniotic fluid or IUGR.

[FiddleMama]

I've gotten constant comments that I look small & when my MW measured me at my first appointment I measured small. My OB, however, has only measured me once and didn't think anything was amiss. I'm wondering if I should request an u/s?

I don't think it's necessarily related to size. I always (this time and last time anyway) measure 1-2 weeks ahead and have low fluid.

I second drinking tons of water and eating watery fruits.

[plummum]

Originally Posted by chlobo

I'm just curious. Why did your backup OB decide to do an u/s?

I've gotten constant comments that I look small & when my MW measured me at my first appointment I measured small. My OB, however, has only measured me once and didn't think anything was amiss. I'm wondering if I should request an u/s? I don't want to risk out of homebirth but I also am afraid of low amniotic fluid or IUGR.

Well I was seeing this OB for the first time, and he said he generally likes to do one u/s just to see how things are going. I have been measuring small too (and my old non-homebirth OB had wanted to give me regular non-stress tests because of thyroid antibodies), and I also hoped to find out if the baby was head-down, so I was interested and wanted one too. He was willing to skip it if I didn't want it.

Now my update: I drank lots of water this week, lay on my side now and then, and today I drank two liters of water and lay on my side for 10 mins before the appointment. BUT he was not in! The receptionist had made me an appointment with the nurse practitioner who I guess doesn't measure AFI. I apparently need to learn to be very clear when I make an appointment what it is for and who it is with. I didn't even think it could be with someone else!

So back in again Monday morning.

[Momsteader]

Good luck on Monday! I have to go back for another BPP/NST on Monday as well. I had one today and the fluid level was low again, combined with decreased blood flow through the cord and less weigh gain than expected.