amniotic fluid lower: down to 5

[plummum]

At 38 weeks, my amniotic fluid measured at 5 today. Ob wants me back for NST and fluid measurements twice a week. Midwife is telling me to consider partial bedrest if I want to make it to homebirth without being induced.

I am bummed since I feel just fine and was hoping to keep doing things for another 2-4 weeks. I am kind of mourning the loss of independence. Only a few more weeks of it, but I was really planning to live it to the fullest.

It's hard for me to really understand what they mean by resting too. I mean "don't exercise" does that mean don't swim? or just don't swim laps? don't do prenatal yoga? Can I go for long walks as long as I don't run?

With no AC in the house (painters messed up the old one, new one not arriving till Thursday) I kind of think I am better off floating in the pool, and in front of the computer in air-conditioning at work, but still struggling with the whole thing as I guess I can't be trusted not to be active since really I don't want to stop anything . sigh.

[Jster]

One test might not be indicative of a problem. Before you change your entire lifestyle, I would ask for another test. And before that test, drink tons of water, it really helps.

Good luck!

[Yuba_River]

A friend with this issue was told that before going on bedrest, she could try spending a few minutes every hour laying on her left side. She was still working, so wherever she was she would find a spot to lie down for 5-10 minutes. It seemed to help.

[ladyleigh]

Originally Posted by plummum

Can I go for long walks as long as I don't run?.

Are you still running? I can't imagine.

I would think some gentle prenatal yoga couldn't hurt. I mean like mostly floor poses/ hip openers with a few soft standing poses (you could even use a chair).

Are you drinking a ton of water- like 200 oz a day?

[Momsteader]

Drink lots and lots and lots of water. The jury is out on whether or not it will help or not....it doesn't affect my AFI values when I go in, but worth a shot.

I agree that one low AFI isn't concerning, but several in a row might be. Just depends what you're comfortable with. What initially made them order the AFI?

"Resting" for me meant that I should down more than up. Nothing strenuous. Lying on left side as much as possible.

[~MoonGypsy~]

*lurker*

I had this happen to me at about 32 weeks with my last pregnancy. The whole situation turned into a huge fiasco, but it boiled down to me being put on bedrest, with an IV and "soaking" for an hour a day in one of those sports therapy tanks. After about a week I went from a 5 to a 9. I personally think I was just mildly dehydrated when they checked my AFI.

Drink loads of water, gallons if you have to. And get a second opinion if they're basing this all off of one scan.

Hang in there mama, this doesn't mean you have to give up your homebirth.

[zofranland]

my fluid was low at 37 week and at the next scan it was back up over 11. i didnt rest much just increased my fluids and stayed out of the sun!