16 answers

Low Amniotic Fluid Level

I'm 19 weeks pregnant with #2 and just had an ultrasound yesterday - the doc informed me that the tech discovered I have low levels of amniotic fluid around the baby. The doctor offered us the choice of either making an appointment with a perinatalogist (sp?) or waiting 4 weeks and doing another ultrasound. He said he wasn't overly concerned and that there was nothing we could do anyway this early, which made it sound like waiting was the way to go, so we opted to wait and see. Of course being pregnant and a worry wart, I went home and immediately googled it. Total mistake. Now I'm terrified and want to see the specialist...everything I read is just horrible when this happens in the 2nd trimester. Does anyone have any experience with this at this stage in their pregnancy?

What can I do next?

So What Happened?™

Thanks, everyone for your advice. I called the doctor yesterday for clarification and more info - he understood that there was no way I'd wait 4 weeks for another ultrasound, so we scheduled another one for next Tuesday. He knew a week would be tough to wait, but he wanted to make sure I was sufficiently hydrated and also to give the baby another week's growth. Hopefully between the two we'll be able to see things better - evidently besides a seemingly low fluid level, the tech wasn't able to clearly visualize the kidneys. So we'll see how things turn out then and in the mean time I made the appointment with the specialist just in case. Thanks again.

Featured Answers

I also had the exact same thing happen to me. I had complete trust in my doctor who did not seem overly concerned. I opted to wait and have another ultrasound. He told me that I needed to carry a water bottle with me EVERYWHERE. By drinking so much water, my next ultrasound could not have been any more perfect. It was a little scary and having to pee more than I already was was a little bit of a pain in the butt...but it was for a great cause. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi A.,
I had this problem in my 3rd trimester after a car wreck. There are many levels of "low". Most women are on a pretty broad range of amniotic fluid. I was told that level 5 is too low. I would recommend seeing the specialist. Drink LOTS of water everyday to help keep the fluid at it's level it is now. I think it would make you feel better to know what you are dealing with though. Even though everything you have read is terrifying please remember to stay positive and take it one day at a time. They are specialists for a reason and can help you through this worrisome time.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

I didn't have the problem with low amnioctic fluid but I had other concerns with my pregnancies that I would read information on-line and would end up freaking myself out. I had to learn to not read and also not believe everything I read. Keep in mind that every pregnancy is different and if the Dr. didn't seem concern then I would trust them. If they had a slight concern they would do everything they could to make sure everything was alright or could face legal action. If I were you, I would ask the dr. to order another US before the 4 weeks to ease your mind. I will pray for you and your baby. I wish you peace during your pregnancy.

1 mom found this helpful

Drink water all day lot's of it.

1 mom found this helpful

I had low amniotic fluid with my second daughter, but it wasn't discovered until about 30 weeks into my pregnancy. I was hospitalized for a week and the fluid increased enough for me to be on bed rest at home. I would definitely go see the specialist to get a second opinion, plus they can more closely monitor you. (There are multiple things that can cause this, yet in my case they were never able to pin point it.) I was induced at 37 weeks and had a beautiful healthy baby girl! (They had given me an injection to help her lungs mature faster and she was able to go home with us two days after she was born.) ...I will say a prayer for you and your family. Get lots of rest and drink plenty of water.

1 mom found this helpful

They kept trying to tell me that, too, but my doc got me a 2nd level ultrasound at St. Luke's that showed that there was more amniotic fluid than the regular ultrasound could see. if your doc isnt worried, I wouldnt be either.

1 mom found this helpful

HI,

I don;t want to scare you , but i would see the specialist ASAP- I can this same problem w/my 2nd and it is a very serious situtation. We made it to 37 weeks before they induced me, i was admitted to the hosiptal twice prior to induction for this issue. I went to high-risk 2-3 times per week with ultrasounds and non-stress tests done ea and every time to keep an eye on the fluid. At 37 weeks, my son still had seious complications (we almost lost him) and was x-ferred to another hospital b/c the one we had him at couldn't help him and provide the meds and repirators he needed

In the meantime, please please please take it as easy as you can (put yourself on bedrest if possible if you dr already hasn't) and drink TONS of Fluids.

I don't know how the drs and hospitals are here since he was born in Northern VA and then transferred to Georgetown University Hosital in the hands of the top drs and specialists in the highest level of critial NICU (they have 3 levels on NICU there to the point the do surgery right there in NICU on babies just born). He was 1 month old before he could come home, 1 1/2 weeks before they could even start tube feedings due to havng to be in a drug-induced coma and respiratior mimking the womb)

Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions. Keep off your feet as much as possible and drink TONS of fluids

Best of luck to you and your family- my heart is with you

1 mom found this helpful

With my first son we found at our 20 week US that he had a cleft lip so we saw all sorts of Dr.s and sepcialists with him - it was insane. I don;t recall at this point what they were looking for exaclty, haha! (amazing how you forget things over time that you think you'll always just remember - note: write everything down! ha) With my second son I actually had too much fluid towards the end and I did see a specialist for it. I also googled what too much could mean and I was anxious to see the specialist to rule out these horrible things. In my opinion you should do the same, if there is anything that can be done about the situtation. If things aren't going to change no matter what the specialist tells you then just wait. Did your Dr. tell you to drink more fluids? I always thought I was drinking plenty of water but really I wasn't.

1 mom found this helpful

I had low fluid with my son as well. I was closer to the end of my pregnancy (during the last month). The best thing you can do is get lots of rest. I was basically put on bedrest and my fluid was at a 7 (10 being good and 5 being bad). I had to go to the perinatal unit twice a week to have stress tests done. If you are concerned about it, go to the perinatal dr. They will tell you what you can do to help the fluid from going down more. It is something to definitely keep an eye on, especially since you have so much more time to go. Good luck! S.

1 mom found this helpful

I had low amniotic fluids during the beginning of my 3rd trimester (1st pregnancy). I was told to drink lots of fluids and to rest as much as possible or else. I didn't like the "or else" phase. Since that pregnancy, I've always made it a habit to carry a jug of water everywhere.

1 mom found this helpful

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