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Oligohydramnios
When Amniotic Fluid Is Too Low
By Laurie Dove
When Koni Howard was 25 and pregnant with her second child, she sensed something wasn't quite right. The Oak Ridge, Tenn., mother wasn't gaining much weight, and at 36 weeks into the pregnancy, was continuing to measure small for the baby's due date.
"Unlike my first baby, [my second child] hardly ever moved," she says. "I had a feeling there might be a problem."
She just didn't know what the problem might be. Despite numerous blood tests and non-stress tests, which tracked the number of movements made by the baby, Howard's obstetrician didn't find anything to cause major concern.
However, at 36 weeks into the pregnancy, an ultrasound showed low amniotic fluid levels. Howard was diagnosed with oligohydramnios, a condition in which the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby is below normal levels.
"I was extremely surprised," Howard says, of both the diagnosis and what happened next.
She had already returned home after the ultrasound and expected to hear the results at her next appointment. "When the phone rang, I never suspected it would be my doctor," she says. "I knew it was after 5 p.m. and her offices were closed. So when she told me, 'I think we're ready to have this baby,' I knew something was up."
By the time Howard located her husband, found a babysitter for their 3-year-old daughter and returned to the hospital, the news had started to sink in. "I wasn't worried, even when the doctor told me there was hardly any fluid left for the baby," she says. "I was just so happy that I'd finally get to meet my baby."
It isn't unusual for a pregnant woman to have low levels of amniotic fluid in the third trimester of pregnancy, according to Dr. Scott Roberts, an obstetrician at Wichita, Kan.-based Wesley Medical Center who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. Although, Roberts adds, oligohydramnios is a condition that can be diagnosed any number of times during a pregnancy.
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Oligohydramnios: Low Amniotic Fluid by Jamie Strong says on 02/22/2010 03:06PM
I am 19 weeks and diagnosed with Ammiotic fluid being low. My baby's heart beat is normal and I've not felt baby move yet. I am just praying to God that he or she is normal. So, all I'm doing is drinking lots of fluid and staying positive. Waiting for a miracle.
Oligohydramnios: Low Amniotic Fluid by Anonymous on 02/21/2010 09:59AM
Thank you all that have posted your stories. My daughter is 24 weeks along and the baby weighs 1.4 pounds and has been diagnosed with low amniotic fluid. She is dropping lower every day. The Dr says if she can reach 32 weeks they will then take the baby. She is confined to bed and must stay in the hospital, so far the baby's heart beat is fine and moving (thank god ) I am in PA and she is in FLA, so I only get second hand info. Afterhaving 2 children of my own, I had never heard of this condiion and obviously never investigated. I am learnig very quickly and I thank all of you - you have made this a litle easier. martha lieberman
Oligohydramnios: Low Amniotic Fluid by Rob Volmer on 01/13/2010 08:03PM
My wife was diagnosed with Anhydramnios or no Amniotic fluid when she was 13 weeks pregnant. Despite undergoing numerous experimental procedures including trying to afix an amniopatch, there was never a significant reaccumulation of fluid. Today we was a beautiful and healthy 3 year old boy despite what the doctors said! There is hope, I am happy to walk you through the different options that are out there and share best practices with you. Feel free to email me at rvolmer@crosbyvolmer.com and take a look at our web site that shares Sebastian's story www.godsmiracleofsebastian.com
Oligohydramnios: Low Amniotic Fluid by Anonymous on 12/27/2009 03:40AM
I am really sorry to hear about your baby's condition. Though I thank you for sharing your story. I am also a mother who is currently pregnant at 26 weeks. I was diagnosed with very low amniotic fluid (3-4CM) at 23 weeks. Despited 7-8 liters of fluid I drank and the IV's I have received daily for the last two weeks, none of them had helped. I am being torn apart as I am writing this comment. I am facing a dilemma of what I am to do and what would be the right thing. Amazingly, during all this time, the baby heart rate has been normal and she is moving as expected during this stage of pregnancy. I wish there is a way to know what is the right thing to do....for the baby's best interest. God bless your family.
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Oligohydramnios: Low Amniotic Fluid by Anonymous on 03/17/2010 04:24PM
My sister is 25 weeks pregnant and diagnosed with low fluid and the levels keep dropping we have never had experience with this. Not sure what to do any advice would be most appreciated. She isn't sure where this will lead and is very scared for my niece.