I have been fighting a war with low amniotic fluid for a few weeks now. Not dangerously low yet, but hovering on the low end.
It started during my 3d sonogram. Well, it really started before that in my mind…
At my routine growth and anatomy scan around 20 weeks, the technician couldn’t get a good look at the umbilical cord and thought there may only be a 2 vessel cord. So, I was scheduled to get a follow-up ultrasound to check the cord specifically, and my fluid levels.
When I went in for that scan, it was a different technician. One that I have determined to be somewhat unqualified or spaced out or something and you’ll find out why. We’ll just call her Miss Spacey.
She did the check for the cord and said that it looked good to her and that there appeared to be three vessels. Then turned off her machine, looked at my paper and said, “oh, she wanted to get fluid levels as well. Well, I’ll just put that they were fine.” And nothing else was said about it. At the time, it didn’t seem important to me.
I then had the fun sonogram. 3d! And I’ve shown her cute little face before, but here it is again:
Low Amniotic Fluid found during 3D Sonogram
For the 3d sonogram, I again had Miss Spacey as the technician. We had fun playing around, trying to get her hand out of her face for a good picture and then in the middle, she said, “it looks like your fluid is kind of low, I’m going to jump out of 3d and take a look.” She did some measurements of fluid pockets and told me that is was low and she would let my doctor know. And that my doctor would call if she wanted to talk to me about it.
The week passed and I didn’t get a phone call. So, I went in to my regularly scheduled appointment at 30 weeks and mentioned it to the doctor. She let me know that the ultrasound technician had not said a word to her. She DIDN’T tell her. I was a little upset. So, she scheduled me for another look right after that appointment. And it was the same Miss Spacey.
She took four quick looks in each quadrant of the belly and found that my fluid was at 6.5 cm. That is a little low. From what I have read, with most doctors, if it’s below 5 cm they will put you on bed rest or induce you if you’re after 34 weeks. I don’t want either of those things.
The technician said, “well, it’s 6.5 cm and that’s not something the doctor will worry about.”
The doctor PERSONALLY called me that night.
She said that it is on the low side and she wanted to get me in for a growth scan and fluid check again the next day and that the technician again should have done those things before I left. At least check for baby’s growth.
The next day, yesterday, I went in for for the scan and found that the fluid had went up to 7.25 cm. A slight improvement, but I’ll still be getting another fluid check next week. And I’m happy to say that baby girl is measuring a week ahead and kicking like crazy.
I’m not too worried about it, but I do hope it goes up even more next week. Until then I am drinking tons of water, at least 80 ounces a day, trying for more, and keeping my feet up and resting as much as possible.
I had low fluid with Nick, but I can’t remember the numbers. It was the primary reason they decided to go ahead and induce (although I WAS two weeks past my due date, and he was quite large enough, thank you!). I’m not sure if things would have turned out differently if they had not induced…
Well, she’s 3.5 lbs now. So still too small, but measuring ahead like all the others. I think it’s more common to have really low if your two weeks overdue. And I don’t envy anyone who goes that long, lol.
I was not pleased to go so far past. But induction is such a nasty process.
Oh, I know. That’s why I have a doula this time and am avoiding it like the plague.
Ok, first of all, the tech isnt qualified to tell you ANYTHING like “oh your doctor won’t worry about that”
GAH!
Is it possible to ask for a diff tech – I’d be concerned she’d miss something big.
I don’t have low levels, mine are borderline too high. Borderline enough that I’m now getting weekly checks. I’m 34 weeks on Tuesday.
Here’s to healthy babies for both of us!
There are a few techs there so I’m sure I could request a different one.
What is the high end of the levels?
I’ve had some doozies for techs. Once my fluid looked low but it was because baby hadn’t peed for awhile or something like that.
How do these people make it to be technicians?