17 weeks and the baby has very little amniotic fluid almost none. Help?

Question

I had a Dr. apointment today and he said the baby had almost no Amniotic fluid. He also said that the baby had a very strong heartbeat. My doctor told me that there was nothing I could do. I have heard that other doctors say to stay on bed rest and drink LOTS of water. Has anyone had this problem or know what I can do. I am just so scared. Thanks

Answer 1

what does your doctor say to do??? seek another doctor, because you said you've heard that other doctor's say, and its like what did yours say?

Answer 2

try having lots of fluid...good luck!

Answer 3

you have to stay calm becuase when u stress it puts more pressure and stress on the baby!! he is already in distress all you can do is wait it out there is really nothing u can do about it but take it as lite as possible and if you can i would say yes stay in the bed!!! your body may be reacting a little slow since it is ur first baby but like i said all you can do is wait and see what happens GOOD LUCK

Answer 4

drinking water will not do anything

Answer 5

I've also heard drink lots of water.  I think I would get another opinion if your doctor says there's "nothing to do".

Answer 6

You have good reason to be scared.  Parental Unit is right, get yourself a perinatologist and pray.  As for drinking water, there is little that it will do for your baby since the amniotic fluid is made by the baby's kidneys and peed out - so that is out of your hands and up to your baby's body.

Answer 7

have a serious talk with your doctor and see if there is anything you can do to protect your baby, chances are you will have to deliver early because of the risk of infection, have you had an ultrasound done yet to confirm the diagnosis??? and yes bed rest is a good thing

Answer 8

What have you done you horrible person???  

Answer 9

Oligohydramnios

Oligohydramnios is the medical term for too little amniotic fluid. This can be normal if the pregnancy goes beyond the due date, because the amount of fluid naturally declines as a pregnancy progresses. When it happens earlier in the pregnancy, it can indicate a birth defect.

The baby needs a certain amount of fluid to move around and grow. When there is too little, the baby can become deformed due to compression by the uterus. Adequate fluid is also necessary for the baby's lungs to develop properly.

Oligohydramnios can be caused by:

Problems with the baby's kidneys

Problems with the placenta

Leakage of fluid or premature rupture of membranes (the "water breaking" too early)

Some medicines, such as ACE-inhibitors (often used to treat high blood pressure in people who are not pregnant)

http://pregnancy.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Amn...

The consequences for your baby depend on what's causing the problem, how far along you are, and how little fluid you have. Oligohydramnios is most commonly diagnosed later in the third trimester, when it usually requires nothing more than keeping a close watch on things.

If you develop low amniotic fluid in the second half of pregnancy, the main concern is that it can restrict your baby's lungs growing. You may need to have your baby's heart rate monitored regularly and ultrasound scans to closely watch your baby's development until you deliver. Your baby is also at risk if you go into premature labour. However, if your doctor is concerned about your baby's growth, it may be safer for your baby to be delivered early, than to remain in the womb. When born your baby may have dry leathery skin. Your baby may also be at risk of having a squashed looking face and having talipes, also known as 'club foot', because of being compressed in your womb. Often, babies present in the breech position because they do not have enough fluid to help them to turn into the correct head down position during the pregnancy.

If you are near your due date and your doctor thinks your baby's growth is poor, she may decide to induce labour. Low fluid often raises worries about complications during labour. The main concern is that there is not enough fluid to protect the umbilical cord from being compressed accidentally by the baby. This could lead to the baby being distressed and the doctor may recommend a caesarean delivery. However, many studies have found that there is no increased risk of either fetal distress or caesarean delivery amongst babies born around their due date, with little fluid, compared to those with a normal level of fluid.

Low levels of amniotic fluid during the first trimester and early part of the second trimester of your pregnancy are rare, but where it does occur, it may lead to an increased chance of miscarriage, or stillbirth.

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/co...

What treatments are available if I am experiencing low amniotic fluid?

The treatment for low levels of amniotic fluid is based on gestational age. If you are not full tem yet, your doctor will monitor you and your levels very closely. Tests such as non-stress and contraction stress test may be done to monitor your baby’s activity. If you are close to full term, then delivery is usually what most doctors recommend in situations of low amniotic fluid levels. Other treatments that may be used include:

Amnio-infusion during labor through an intrauterine catheter. This added fluid helps with padding around the umbilical cord during delivery and is reported to help lower the chances of a cesarean delivery.

Injection of fluid prior to delivery through amniocentesis. The condition of oligohydramnios is reported to often return within one week of this procedure, but it can aid in helping doctors visualize fetal anatomy and make a diagnosis.

Maternal re-hydration with oral fluids or IV fluids has shown to help increase amniotic fluid levels.

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnan...

You should talk to your doctor about these treatments, and see if anyone of them are right for you.

Hope everything works out for you and you have a healthy pregnancy. good luck to you and your baby :-)

Answer 10

Your doctor didnt tell you to be on bed rest.. Umm thats just so odd?

I think you should find a new doctor now!!

And make sure to stay off your feet, until you can get in to see them!

Good luck, and start looking now!

32 weeks

Answer 11

tell your dr you want a second opinion and a referral to a high risk perinatologist now. bed rest, rehydration and a possible amniotic infusion can help save your baby.