Another week

Another scan

Another problem diagnosed

Fifth baby and I am learning new things all the time

This time it seems that I have Moderate Polyhydramnios

Too much amniotic fluid

In our NHS Trust they diagnose Polyhydramnios

By measuring the depths of pockets of fluid around baby

My deepest pocket from 28 weeks has been at almost 8cm

Anything over 8cm is Moderate Polyhydramnios

My deepest pocket yesterday was 9.6cm

The sonographer did not seem overly concerned

She checked that I was being seen by my midwife soon

And we set up a Consultant appointment for Monday

But apart from that I was given very little information

It is on coming home that I have read about the possible reasons

For having excess fluid

Gestational diabetes is mentioned again

Maternal age

Infection

But also fetal abnormalities

Perhaps baby is peeing too much

Or not swallowing enough

None of this was talked about at the appointment yesterday

There was no mention of cord prolapse

Or baby being unable to settle into a position for birth

Of the need for a controlled release of my waters

Or being induced early

Another reason added to the list I have been given

To opt for early induction

Do you know recently I have been grieving never being pregnant again

Feeling so sad about the last 4 weeks ever with a bump

But this has cured me

I am done having babies

I want my daughter here

Soon

Safe

Healthy

And then I never want to go through this again

Our family will be complete

And we can begin the next

Post baby making

Adventure

That sounds magical right now

But first we must get our Sprinkle of Stardust here safely

And pray that she stays

So what is Moderate Polyhydramnios?

Polyhydramnios is where there is too much amniotic fluid around the baby during pregnancy. Amniotic fluid is the fluid that surrounds your baby in the womb.
Too much amniotic fluid is normally spotted during a check-up in the later stages of pregnancy.
It isn’t usually a sign of anything serious, but you’ll probably have some extra check-ups and will be advised to give birth in hospital.

What are the causes?

It’s often unclear why too much fluid sometimes builds up during pregnancy, but it can be due to:

a twin or multiple pregnancy
diabetes in the mother – including diabetes caused by pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
a blockage in the baby’s gut (gut atresia)
a problem with the placenta
the baby’s blood cells being attacked by the mother’s blood cells (rhesus disease)
a build-up of fluid in the baby (hydrops fetalis)
a genetic problem in the baby

Most babies whose mothers have polyhydramnios will be healthy.

With the diagnosis comes an increased risk of premature birth

An increased risk a prolapsed umbilical cord

A problem with baby that may well require treatment after birth

Polyhydramnios also means that birth choices may well be limited

To keep mummy and baby as safe as can be

Even if your baby seems fine, and you don’t have to go to a specialist hospital, you’ll be carefully monitored during labour. This is for a number of reasons:

The extra fluid in the womb makes it difficult for your baby to settle his head down into your pelvis. So if the umbilical cord is pulled down into your vagina and in front of his head, your doctor may recommend an emergency caesarean.

The placenta may come away early if your womb suddenly shrinks as the amniotic fluid is released.

You have an increased risk of heavy bleeding (haemorrhage) after your baby is born because your womb has been stretched, so your doctor or midwife is likely to recommend a managed third stage.

If you have diabetes, which can cause your baby to be bigger, or if you simply have a big baby, your midwife will monitor the progress of your baby during the pushing stage for signs that his shoulder may have become caught. Most big babies don’t get a shoulder stuck during the birth, although diabetes and a big baby do increase the chance of it happening. If it does happen, your midwife or an obstetrician will help you get into a position that frees your baby.

If your symptoms are getting worse and you’re in late pregnancy, or your baby is showing signs of distress, your obstetrician may recommend your labour is induced. This is likely to involve breaking your waters. If further complications develop, your doctor may recommend a caesarean.

So there is a lot to digest

And I am now trying to rest as much as possible

And have turned into a demon symptom spotter

I am at the hospital to see a Consultant on Monday

And I am going armed with questions

And I want to try and make a plan for birth

I have been told many times now that I should be induced

Because I am over 40

Because Sprinkle is large for gestation

And now because of this excess fluid

So if I am to be induced

I want to make a plan

For the earliest safest time for that to happen

I want my baby here

I want her to be in my arms

Healthy and well

To stay

And in the meantime if someone would like to give me some good news

That would be very much appreciated

By a tired and emotional older mummy to be

Trying to make the most of her last ever weeks of pregnancy

Quotes from NHS website and Baby Centre UK