Deliver at 35 + weeks?

Question

I am 35 weeks and 2 days now. My fluid level is extremely low, every week they do a ultrasound and its lower. Its almost to the "very dangerous level" according to the doc's office. We tend to have very big babies in my family so the baby is huge, he is already over 7 pounds. Since the fluid level issues started a month ago my doc did give me steroid shots. I am having a boy, anyone know what the chances are that if delivered this week what his chances of having problems would be? Doc said if fluid any lower that he will have to... just wonderfing. Thanks!

Answer 1

I was laboring at 31 weeks and was given steroid shots too...umm as far as the fluid level, you should ask your doctor  if it's so dangerously low, why does he let you continue on. h**l, the baby wont be able to survive without fluids in his home.....I would just bluntly ask him...just keep drinking liquids, and stay hydrated...do you have a leak in the water bag???

Answer 2

The longer your baby is inside of you, the better - in most cases.  If your fluid level is too low, then it will become necessary for your doctor to deliver the baby early.  Although your baby will have a 100% chance of survival, you should still be aware that being born late preterm puts him at higher risk for other "issues".  It doesn't mean that your son is going to be retarded!  It means that you should be aware of potential problems.  My son was late preterm.  He spent 5 days in the NICU for breathing problems (your doctor is giving you the steroid shots to help with that).  He went to a pulmonologist for his narrow airway and acid reflux.  He was also diagnosed with a narrow Eustachian tubes, which caused him to get multiple ear infections.  He has since had tubes put in his ears and out grew the narrow airway.  He will be seeing a speech pathologist to help him with a minor speech delay.  Each child is different, so that doesn't mean that any of this will happen to you and your baby.  All it means is that you need to be aware and discuss concerns with your pediatrician.  I know plenty of kids who were born before my son with NO problems.  

For more information on your question, go to www.marchofdimes.com.  

Answer 3

It is extremely difficult to tell with any accuracy the exact amount of fluid in your womb. It is impossible to guess the weight of your baby in the womb. I would suggest a second opinion with a different doctor and a different ultrasound tech.

If you are not a drug addict, are not secretly dieting, you are not leaking or gushing fluid then most likely you have exactly enough fluid. Your fluid is being replaced and replenished on a daily basis. You can always increase the amount of protein you are eating and the amount of water you are drinking as your fluid is made of protein and water.

Even at 37 weeks a baby can be born alive and then die shortly after birth due to lung prematurity. If this is your first baby, you could easily need 42 weeks for your baby to fully develop.

I would get a second opinion from another physician before rushing to do something in respect to this issue. Some doctors have an 80% rate of c-section and this is one of the reasons why their c-section rates are so high, looking for problems that may or may not exist.  Best wishes, G