Hi, I was diagnosed with low amniotic fluid in my last pregnancy. It was discovered by happenstance in week 36; I had not been leaking fluids and was drinking a ton of water and Gatorade, close to 100 oz/day. So from then on, they monitored me more closely, and in week 38, I was admitted and labor was induced because the levels were so low. Thankfully, my first child was born at 38 weeks and is healthy and happy.
So now I'm around 27 weeks in my 2nd pregnancy, at a completely different facility in a different geographic region, and my dr (who is a family practitioner, not an ob) has been very nonchalant about this issue. I have asked about it a few times, just wondering if/how it will be monitored. He has stated that there is no protocol for following women who've had that in previous pregnancies. When I expressed that my husband was also concerned, the dr simply said, "Well what would you like me to tell him?" So now I feel kind of awkward and not comfortable raising questions...I don't know if my concern is unfounded or if I should be doing even more? Does anyone know if there is a relationship b/t low amniotic fluid in subsequent pregnancies? How have your doctors followed you if you've experienced it in the past? Thanks so much!!!!!
Thanks to everyone for all the replies. I don't know when the amniotic fluid first became low with my 1st pregnancy, only that we found it in week 36. I don't think they decided to admit me & induce labor for ulterior motives; I was being treated at a military facility and saw different providers each time I went in. So there was no one dr jonesing for a bmw or anything!
I am comforted knowing there is not a correlation between the 1st pregnancy & subsequent pregnancies in terms of low amniotic fluid. What turned me off to my dr (who is a civilian provider at a civilian practice) was what came across as a lack of interest or concern, and a bit of an attitude. So 2 separated but related issues -- is the amniotic fluid thing a point of concern, and is my dr an a-hole?
ps - I am seeing a family dr b/c that's the way the practice operates, not b/c I wanted to. OBs are reserved for high risk patients. Switching dr's is possible but would require a change in insurance and more out of pocket costs - but I am open to it.
I am a midwife and in my experience there is really no such thing as low amniotic fluid in an otherwise healthy pregnancy with no slow leak etc or placental issues etc. I truly believe the "you have low amniotic fluid" is doctor language for, "I have a BMW payment coming up so lets make me some more money and induce you."
Also, it is normal for the fluid level to start to decrease as the pregnancy gets close to ending.
Lisa
I started leaking with my son at 16wks, ruptured at 26weeks and he held on until being delivered at 30wks. They didn't admit me to the hospital until I'd ruptured, and before then I was on mandatory bedrest drinking over a gallon/day. I was told that most often an infection is the reason for this, they took my shredded placenta and shipped it off for testing to help gain more info for the sake of science (but wanted to charge me $300+ to find out results, so I never did), and said that it wasn't something that would happen in future pregnancies.
I would not be going to a family practitioner for OB related medical help. They're experiences and protocols are completely different than an OB. I was always high risk (6 pregnancies and 1 baby), but even if my son was my first pregnancy, my OB would treat all future pregnancies as high risk and with concern because red flags were raised before.
Hugs and good luck!
Is there a prenatal specialist you can visit in the area? You are pretty far along to change doctors, but if it is possible, that is what I would do. Here, the doctors had a window for which they would see you and if you were past that, they would not accept you as a new patient.
I had low fluid each visit and had no signs of leakage. The U/S tech finally asked how much exercise I was getting and she told me I had to slow down before I was placed on bed rest.
Remember, low baby activity means low fluid. If this happens, you have to go to the hospital, perhaps that will escalate the situation if it comes down to it.
Best of luck.
I had extremely low fluids with my first and my second was totally normal. That being said, I was concerned with my 2nd and my doctor (different city than the 1st) was very receptive to my questions. I would definitely see another doctor if you can - it is never good to feel uncomfortable raising questions. If there's one thing I've learned from being a mom, it's that you have to stick to your gut when dealing with medical issues and insist that things that you're worried about are investigated. You know your child and your body better than anyone and you HAVE to make them listen to you. Sometimes all it takes is them seeing how very serious you are and then they will slow down and consider your concerns.
I had low amniotic fluid during my first pregnancy. It was detected at 18 or 20 weeks via ultrasound. I did not have any amniotic issues with my second pregnancy. The doctor I had for my second pregnancy said that there was no associated risk with a higher incidence in subsequent pregnancies and that if it were to happen it would be detected during the anatomy scan and that if I was measuring small that would be a possible indication of low amniotic fluid and if that happened it would be measured again via ultrasound. It is common for the amniotic fluid to dramatically decrease at the end of a pregnancy making me wonder if your first doctor just wanted to get the baby out and be done. If you are concerned about it tell your doctor that you want an ultrasound to check the pockets of fluid. He should comply or be able to tell you why he thinks all is well with your baby and why an ultrasound isn't needed. If he doesn't then you may need to speak to an OB/GYN rather than a family practitioner. Good luck.
No effect on future pregnancies. If you're very concerned, you should see an OB not a family practitioner.
And to respond to the midwife. amniotic fluid can be measured and there are charts for what is normal and what is not. I'm assuming that her previous doctor had legitimate low AFI measurement and acted on it.
I had the same situation with my pregnancy and like you I'm fortunate to have a happy healthy child! I only have the one, so I can't attest to the facts but I would say don't be afraid to change Dr.'s....it's your body and your baby. Have you had ultrasounds? They should monitor that way, mine wasn't an early diagnosis, I went in for a scan @ 38 weeks because I was older (39 at the time and I had high blood pressure) they saw it and sent me upstairs because "it was a good day to have a baby!"
I havn't had this happen, but considering it is a different doctor, and not an OB I would look for an ob and get a second opinion just to be safe. Reguardless if he is right and there not linked to the same problems, sounds like to me he was very rude and could have did an ultra sound, ect to check it and make you feel better. I always follow my gut, you know your body, and if you don't feel right, follow what you think :) Good luck!!
Thanks for asking this question, I am curious to read the responses. My first pregnancy was the same, low fluids for no reason, no signs other than I wasn't growing like they wanted to see & induced at 38wks. I am currently 28 weeks and wondering the same thing. My OB told me that each pregnancy is different so it might not be an issue to be concerned about this time around. They watch the growth & fluid levels at each visit so I know I am in good hands. I second you getting another opinion from an OB, especially if this doc is not an OB & is not doing measurements to determine growth or ultrasounds to assess fluid levels.
I can't speak to your fluid issue. However, I wanted to say that I think you should always feel comfortable with your doctor. You should be able to ask questions & receive answers. He should not treat you this way. Pregnancy & labor are very important & emotional events. You should absolutely have a doctor you trust. If I were you I would find a new doctor.
Good luck.
Hi, Kt;
It makes sense what the midwife wrote:
One doctor is not going to make another doctor look bad.
He couldn't tell you what the midwife told you. This is why he is
looking like he is blowing you off. I am sure it bothers him but their is a code of silence that Dr's live by unless of course there is a life threatening act being done.
I believe that different women carry different amounts of fluid while pregnant. Having a baby is a normal and natural thing. The medical community makes out like it is a medical emergency to have a baby. It is all about money.
There can be midwives all around the U.S. because 96% of women have an uncomplicated birthing experience. Delivering babies is a money making proposition here in the usa.
You will be fine, Don't worry. If you start too worry, ask for an ultrasound.
Good luck.
Thanks for asking.
D.
