Low Amniotic Fluid

Specialties Ob/Gyn

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Specializes in OB, ICU, ER, MS,.

I have a question. I do a little OB, in my small rural hospital, but I have a family member who is 34 weeks and experiencing low amniotic fluid. Her number is 4.5? Anyway, she is being followed very closely and having ultrasounds, NST's and I assume biophysical profiles biweekly. I really don't have much experience with low amniotic fluid, but googling it made me very scare...

Do any of you have any reassuring stories of patient's with low anmiotic fluid and good outcomes. Everything else looks ok except for his estimated weight.. about 3.5 pounds.

Thanks for any reassurance.

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Specializes in nursery, L and D.

We can't really give medical advice here. Different people may grade the amniotic fluid levels different so we really can't tell how serious this is from this limited info. Maybe you could go with her to a visit? Hope everything turns out OK, they usually do!! let us know.

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We can't really give medical advice here. Different people may grade the amniotic fluid levels different so we really can't tell how serious this is from this limited info. Maybe you could go with her to a visit? How everything turns out OK, they usually do!! let us know.

She didn't ask for medical advice, she just wanted some positive stories from people with similar circumstances.

I had low amniotic fluid with both of my pregnancies. I was already 40+ weeks when it was discovered though. Each time I was immediately admitted and induction procedures were started. I was able to have a healthy baby each time. The first baby actually took a week to be induced, therefore by the time I had him I was almost 42 weeks. I was still able to have the birth I wanted with minimal invasive procedures. For the second, my body knew what to do and Pinky was born within six hours of me bein admitted.

Feel free to share my experience with your family member.

BouBou

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My thoughts are with you and your family. Any time something is ascew with a pregnancy it is a scary thing. I think the suggestion of going along to a visit would be a good idea if at all possible. That way you could ask some direct questions and get the answers you're looking for.

I had low amniotic fluid with my daughter, discovered at 30 weeks. I was checked and treated for dehydration, sent home on strict bedrest and rechecked in two days. I had u/s and NST every other day for two weeks before being admitted to the hospital, monitored and pumped full of IV fluid. After a week of that I was sent home, again on strict bedrest and rechecked with u/s and NST every three days for the next 5 weeks. At 38 weeks my levels had slightly increased and I was taken off bedrest and induced a short time later (I insisted on having a few days to get things ready since the doc confirmed no immediate reason to get baby out and I hadn't had the last 8 weeks to do whatever it was I thought I needed to do to get ready :) )

Baby was estimated to be right around 5 pounds at 39 weeks and I delivered a beautiful, healthy, 8 pound 3 ounce little girl a couple days later.

RNin'08

~my reality check bounced~

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

A family member of mine was told she had low amniotic fluid in mid-second trimester. It was because she was dehydrated, and her baby boy is now 3 1/2 and a holy terror, as he should be.

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Specializes in geriatric/LTC, Urgent Care.

I hope these posts are reassuring. I had low amnio fluid with my baby also. My levels were around 4 at their lowest. I was put on bedrest and given IV fluids and was pretty much in the hospital the whole month before they delivered my baby. My baby was estimated to weigh about 4 lbs., she was always healthy though. Her heart rate was always good and they nurses always told me I had a very happy baby while I was on the FHM. They were right. My baby girl was delivered via c-section around 34 1/2 weeks term. She was healthy, weighed 4lbs. even and came out screaming. She will be 1 year old next month and to this day, she's always laughing and happy. I'm sure things will be fine. They never determined why my fluid was low, but everything came out great. Good luck.

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Ultrasound is unreliable at predicting fetal weight, +/- 25% at term. From what I have heard "low fluid" is not an exact diagnosis, rather a matter of opinion. Best wishes to your family member.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Anecdotally, I have seen plenty of good outcomes with low AFI. Cases vary.

I wish your loved ones the best outcome. Let us know how it goes.

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Specializes in OB, ICU, ER, MS,.

Thank you all so much. This made me feel alot better. I'll let you know how things turn out!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Please do let us know how things turn out----rootin for ya!

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can i ask a releated question?

How accurate is an AFI? does it have any predictive value in terms of baby outcome?

I'm seeing many many inductions due to low fluid, I know it's supposed to be a sign of placenta deteriorating but how accurate is it???

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

It is not always accurate. I have had many inductions for "extremely low" AFI where when the membranes were ruptured, we swam in a sea of fluid and the baby was fine.

But you have to consider very poor test results MAY be true and treat accordingly. I just can I have personally observed overwhemingly favorable outcomes. And that, I find reassuring.

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