When I was 36 weeks pregnant with my son, my doctor told me that I had low amniotic fluid. I was also feeling decreased fetal movement. My belly was also measuring small and that it was growing in size like it had been. I was told to increase my fluid intake and rest. I wasn't placed on bedrest, but was told to take it easy. My amniotic fluid never increased and so at 38 weeks they scheduled a c-section. He was breech. He weighed 5 lbs. 9 oz. when he was born. He is five years old now and is a beautiful healthy active boy.
Yes, A similar thing happened to me the baby stopped moving as much they got ready to do an amino on me, but once they got ready they, "said I had very low amniotic fluid." I couldn't understand why but they didn't do the test because it was too dangerous for the baby and me. So they put me in bed for 4 week and had me lay on one side. They did a c-section as soon as they thought it was safe. We found out the problem my child's cord was in a complete knot. Not sure if the babies movement has slowed down for you, but you might want to check into this. Not sure why the Amnio fluid was low to this day. Hang in there my baby is now perfect and 26 yrs old . I was so scared, but it all worked out. Try not to worry and enjoy your sleep, because it will end soon with your new beautiful daughter. Good luck to you and yours!
do you have a gaming system at home, maybe DH can bring it up and plug it into the TV. We did this with our PS2 which played movies as well, so my husband played games while I was asleep and I watched dvds when I was awake.
Hi Lindy!
Wow, I was having flashbacks reading your message. In late October, almost eleven years ago, I was expecting our first child and had a similar experience during a visit to the OB. I had low amniotic fluid and Ali (my daughter who is now almost 11) was measuring smaller than she should. She was also in a frank breech position, which is basically bottom down with her feet up by her ears.
My due date was December the 18th and after visiting a specialist and having a "level two" sonogram to make sure everything was OK, I was sent home on bedrest. I did not have to stay in the hospital, but had to count Ali's movements every hour. I stayed on bedrest for four weeks and ultimately delivered Ali by C-Section on the day before Thanksgiving after my blood pressure began rising. She was 37 weeks. I ultimately had preeclampsia which is high blood pressure in pregnancy. They don't really know why this occurs, but I did read that it is common in first pregnancies with women over 30.
I had gained very little weight up to the time I was put on bedrest, but once there, gained ALOT of water weight so you might expect that. My hands and feet got pretty swollen from laying down so much, but of course my amniotic fluid increased as well and that was good for Ali. After the birth, they had trouble getting my blood pressure back to normal, so I had to stay in the hospital for a few extra days. Although, there were neonatal specialists standing by for Ali, she was just perfect. She was just a bit small weighing just 5 lbs. three ounces and her head was a bit big relative to her skinny body :)! Apparently, when there is low amniotic fluid, the nutrition received by the baby goes to the most important places first (i.e. - the brain) which explained why her head was a bit bigger proportionally to the rest of her.
Also because she was so squeezed into my womb, her little legs and feet would go up by her ears for a few weeks after she was born. It took her a bit longer to stretch out :). Also common with breech babies is hip dysplasia, so we went to Scottish Rite several weeks after she was born to have her checked out. She was just fine.
For the first couple of years of her life Ali was smaller than normal ( in the 5th to 10th percentiles for weight and height), but over time she caught up :), and is now one of the tallest girls in the fifth grade, is a straight "A" student and is very athletic!!
I also should tell you, that two and a half years later, I gave birth to my son, Michael, who is now 8 and a half. I had him vaginally with no problems and it was a "text book" birth. Some doctors don't let you do a vaginal birth after C-Section but mine agreed to let me try. I think now days, they do not recommend VBACs. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that just because this is happening in your first pregnancy, doesn't mean it will happen in future pregnancies.
Anyway, while on bedrest, I passed the time catching up on some good books and watching TV. Not alot more to do !! Enjoy the time of rest, because after your daughter is born, you will be a busy girl :)!! I will keep you in my prayers over the next several weeks! Becoming a new parent is one of the greatest joys there is! Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Caroline
I had an amniocentesis (sp) which resulted in a punchure that caused me to leak fluid the from 4 months on. I would have to go into the hospital and lay still until the fluid built back up. I kept going into premature labor and the doctor gave me steroid shots to help develop the baby's lungs incase she came early. She did come 6 weeks early but at 3 lbs, she was able to breath on her own. She is now 19 and a Marine in Iraq. You would never know that she was premature. Just stay on bedrest and you should be fine. You may want to ask your doctor about steroid if there is a chance yours will be born early. Take care of yourself.
I also have low amniotic fluid. My baby has been moving fine but my OB has us on close watch. I’m going to my OB every 2 days to be monitored and I am currently seeing a high risk pregnancy specialist due to the fact that I have low amniotic fluid. My husband and I have been in and out tof the doctors office not mention hospital due to this. They said the only thing that can be done on my part was to drink plenty of water and rest. I hope and pray everything goes well for you and your baby.