Large amounts of amniotic fluid

[Van1300]

I had an ultrasound at my 30 week appointment because I am measuring 4 weeks ahead in fundal height. The baby's body measurements are right at 30 weeks, the head is at 32 weeks. I have too much amniotic fluid, like off the charts. You aren't supposed to have more than 20, and I am measuring 34.

I am being referred to a high risk OB for additional testing. Anyone been through anything like this? Any advice or suggestions of what I should ask about? I am a borderline gestational diabetic, but all my sugars are well controlled with diet.

Thanks!

[weesej]

It is a common side effect from the GD. You are probably quite uncomfortable!!

[karlitacat]

I seem to experience something new with each pregnancy! With my first I became rH sensitized, so now all my pregnancies are high-risk. Also during my first, my baby was diagnosed with IUGR (intrauterine growth retardation) and inefficient placenta, because she remained so small. She was born a week early, a little over 5lbs - and completely healthy! She has always been small - but tall - for her age.

With my 2nd pregnancy, I had excess amniotic fluid in addition to the rH concerns! There were a couple times we thought the baby was measuring on the larger side, but nothing ever came of that. I never had GD and was never told to do anything about the amniotic fluid - perhaps because I was already being seen every week for the rH condition. It was such a relief when they ruptured my membranes to get labor moving along!

I'm now 17wks with our 3rd and will begin seeing a specialist for the rH sensitivity again. Who knows what else they'll find!

Anyhoo, sorry I didn't offer much help, but just wanted to let you know it has happened to me and everything was fine.

[Van1300]

I saw the high risk MD today. She wants me to do a real good job tracking my sugars this week and we may discuss the need for insulin

Baby seems to be moving and shaking ok, no defect noted or anything. I do feel huge and I think this boy is going to be a linebacker or something!

[happymama1]

Hi Mama!

I had too much amniotic fluid with my son. I did not have GD. I learned that it can be related to problems with the kidneys, particularly reflux of the kidneys. If I were you I would ask for a level II ultrasound (unless they have already done this).

If the baby is measuring ahead and there are any other anomalies noted, it is worth looking into overgrowth syndromes like Beckwith Wiedemann Syndrome.

We thought my son had BWS for the first year of his life, but it turns out he has a different, very rare syndrome. Thankfully he is doing great

You can definitely have too much amniotic fluid with no apparent cause and everything turns out fine.

[songbird516]

There was a mom in my first DD group Jan 2010 who had excess amniotic fluid. She had a homebirth at 37 weeks and everything was perfectly fine as far as I remember. I know that there can be issues that lead to excess fluid, but not always.

[earthmama7]

I believe the term for excess fluid is called polyhydramnious. It can be a warning sign that your baby has issue with bladder, kidneys, or a fused esophagus. All of which can affect the amount of fluid because baby isn't moving it through his system, BUT, it can also mean nothing. I wouldn't spend too much time googling it because it can really freak you out (I know from experience), and if nothing was noted on the ultrasound it probably IS nothing Positive vibes to you and baby!

[angelbabybailey]

I had polyhydramnios as well with my twin pregnancy. I also had Twin to Twin Transfusion with a loss of one of my girls at 19 weeks. At 20 weeks I measured 38.

They set me up to start doing theraputic amniocentisis to reduce the volume of fluid to help me feel more comfortable( I couldnt breathe and pelvic hurt) a well as keep me from going into pre-term labor. However the day before I was to go in for my 1st amnio I went into labor and had the babies.

Good Luck with your pregnancy.

[L J]

I had a scare with this with dd. I was already seeing a high risk OB and having biweekly BPPs after 28 weeks. My fluid levels went up abnormally at 35 weeks, stayed high into the 36th week without being able to detect a cause. Then, they went down to normal and stayed there until she was born. I still have no explanation for it, but in my case (that time) it worked out. I hope it does for you, too.

[Van1300]

Thanks! I'm now home on modified bed rest due to high blood pressures, but I will see the high risk OB on Tuesday for a check of my levels. She said they usually peek at 32 weeks (I will be 32 weeks on Wednesday), so I am hopeful. I will be seeing her every 2 weeks and the regular OB once weekly now.

Trying to make it to 37 weeks