35 weeks and been told too much fluid in amnotic sac can't tell where baby's head is?
Answer:
First things first - do not panic!!
I am 38 weeks today and have exactly the same thing - I only found out at 36 weeks.
I've been told that its called polyhydramnios or just plain hydramnios and have seen a consultant every week since they found out.
The chances are that they will send you for a detailed growth/fluid measurement/biological scan over the next week or so. The chances are that at this late stage there will be no reason for concern baby wise (its all down to how much baby swallows and pees out and how well baby's kidneys are functioning.) any abnormalities of this kind are usually picked up at the 16/20 week scan.
The other condition that can cause this, and usually cause a slightly larger than average baby, is gestational diabetes in the mum. You are usually checked by a random blood sample at around 24 weeks and your pee will be tested every midwife appointment, so usually also there would have been indications. But, just to be on the safe side, they will probably give you an oral glucose tolerance test. They will tell you to have nothing to eat or drink for the twelve hours before you go in (the hardest thing in the worls for a pregnant woman to do! :o) ) They will take a blood sample when you arrive then ask you to drink this really sweet stuff (it smells worse than it tastes, honest!!) Then they leave you to rest for 2 hours, then take another blood sample. And thats all there is to it.
My consultant told me that too much fluid (which is anything over 24cm on the amniotic fluid scale thing (Im at 40!) can happen for absolutely no reason, and probably happens alot more than women are even aware of. If you are polyhydramnious they will keep a close eye on you. But, here's me with the exact same thing and they aren't intending to intervene at all, because there is no, (as there so often isn't) medical reason or emergency.
There are a couple of things to be aware of though. My consultant told me that the Braxton Hicks we all get at late stage will probably feel worse because it is actually the amniotic fluid aggrivating the lining of your uterus. You just need to take it easy.
We are told at the classes that there is no immediate rush if your waters break, but if you are polyhydramnious, when they go, they go!! I've started to avoid supermarkets etc to avoid the embarassment!! You should get yourself to the labour ward ASAP if they go.
The other thing to bear in mind is that if there is too much fluid, the baby's head might not engage (techically its floating around in there!!) so real labour might have to be started by the hospital - but thats something you can discuss with your consultatnt at the hospital.
As I said - dont panic!! When I was first told about polyhydramnios I did the whole internet search thing and it all seemed to be doom and gloom! Your consultant will keep as close an eye as they have to - it does happen more than you think!
Good luck - let me know how you go!!
Hi there
I found these websits and i do hope this helps you ease your mind
no woman goes through pregnancy without worrying! so don't feel bad. Only extensive anxiety throughout pregnancy will have an adverse effect on your baby. The odd worry-some time during your pregnancy will do no harm to your child. the chance of miscarriage from an amnio is extremely low I think by UK standards it is 1%. It's a case of weighing up the pros and cons, the procedure has a better chance of actually helping your baby then it does of harming your baby, if the hospital think it is necessary to ensure a positive outcome to your pregnancy then maybe you should go ahead.
Are they going to do a amino on you and draw some of the fluid out? My friend had 4 sacs full of water. Not sure why.. the doctors couldn't help her with that one either. But they actually busted her bag 4 times and got excessive amounts of water with each one. The baby finally crowned on the last bag. How many u/s have you had.. where was the baby on the last one? I am sure you are scared.. try not to stress out over it...maybe they can do another u/s interally and see where the baby is laying. I hope all is well and good luck.
You are going to be absolutely fine (as is your baby), they literally can not tell where the head is because thay can not feel (or see on a scan) because the fluid is in the way. I think there is only cause for concern if there is too little amniotic fluid as the baby may not get enough nutrients. I wish you well, please try not to worry, you will have your little angel in your arms very soon.
No wonder you are worried. Firstly the amniocentesis isn't likely to cause a problem at this stage. It can cause a miscarriage but it's a bit late for that.
I think the best thing you can do is try and put it out of your mind until the review. I know it's hard but there's really no point in stressing yourself before you fully understand the situation. It could be something as simple as inexperience on the part of the person conducting the examination. I was told at a 16 week scan that they couldn't find the placenta, but it was in there.
Good Luck, I'm sure everything will be fine.
You're a Mum it's your job to worry. I can't see why they would bother with amnio at 35 weeks they're more likely to just deliver the baby early.
Ring NHS direct to get peace of mind - stop thinking the worst . . . No really really STOP THINKING THE WORST!!
Take it easy - in 5 weeks you'll be knackered and missing this as relative peace and quiet.
Best of luck.
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