[OMama]

One of my clients is 35.5 weeks and was recently told she had low amniotic fluid. She also has gestational diabetes but it is under control with diet. She has has a cerclage which will be removed next week (last baby was 2 month premature). Anything I can suggest to help improve the amniotic fluid levels? My guess would be really good hydration, but is there anything else? I'm assuming this was determined via ultrasound--how accurate is this measurement? Thanks!

 

[AmieV]

I wish I had links for this, but you're on the right track with good hydration before scans (and all the time, too), and I have also read the measurements are pretty crummy because they have to just kind of pick a "pocket" to measure which may or may not be indicative of the actual level.

However, she is in a higher risk category already, so I'd be more conservative than usual, KWIM?

HTH!

 

[akemt]

I've had oligohydramnios (That's the term you'd search for, but depending on how "low" it was, she may not technically have that diagnosis)...basically, it can either mean her membranes are leaking, kidney issues in the baby (they'd have looked into that already if they were really concerned) or placental issues. Mine was a part of my PIH. What was her AFI? The only link I have saved about it has lists of average AFI's with percentiles by week of pregnancy... http://www.fetalanomalies.org/Fluid.html

Given that mine was BP related we did lots of fluid intake as well as strict bedrest (I was only 28 weeks along). Benefits of bedrest are debated for these uses, but at that gestation, anything was worth a try...and for me it worked.

 

[jengacnm]

If hydration doesn't help, then there's actually something wrong. True (not just a tech error, or low hydration) oligohydramnios indicates that the baby's kidneys aren't being perfused well and therefore the baby isn't making enough urine.

Getting the actual number (AFI) would help. I can, and have, taken issue with radiologists who report, "borderline oligohydramnios" with an AFI of 8 at term. According to the link provided above (thanks!!) 10th percentile is 7.1. I've told them, please report the number and I'll make the diagnosis. If they say oligohydamnios they've backed my into a corner.

Best wishes!!!

Jennifer