I never wanted to be one of those paranoid pregnant women, but baby K was noticeably much less active yesterday and this morning even less movement still. After chugging some Coke and still not getting any reaction when I'd press on her foot (which usually gets a push back) I called the on-call OB and left a message. She called me back right away and wanted me to go to the hospital to L&D to get fetal monitored. We heard the HB right away, but due to the doc being in surgery, we had to wait for over 2 hrs., during which, another Dr. Came in to check my fluids. Turns out I was borderline low at a 5. I didn't really think much of it...rather actually just go home and drink lots of coconut water or Gatorade, but they wanted to keep me overnight and keep me on an IV. So, been here for almost 8 hrs now and Google-ing low amniotic fluids and talking to a friend, sounds more likely that I will get induced tomorrow if fluids don't go up by much tomorrow morning? It also seems more likely to have a c-sect if induced?
Time-wise, it's okay I figure...I'm already 39 weeks today. I just didn't think I would be hanging out in bed hooked up to IVs and monitors etc for very long before labor. Anyone have this same experience? Did you get released and go into labor naturally or am I likely destined to be induced tomorrow?
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No experience but so glad that you followed your instincts and called and went in. Also so wonderful you are 39 weeks so baby will be just fine if being induced is needed.
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Sorry to hear you're in the hospital! Are you drinking lots as well as being on the IV?
I would try my best if the levels are borderline to go home and keep drinking and being monitored periodically, and see how things go. Low fluids shouldn't mean an automatic induction. Induction doesn't always end in c-section and it has it's place, but it's a lot better (for you and for her) to go into labor on your own.
I hope the levels go up by tomorrow so you don't have to even worry about induction, but at least baby is 39 weeks! I'm sure it will all work out for you and K.
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wishing you good thoughts but 39 weeks is healthy!!!
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Personally, if I were still in range I would request monitoring every few days or even every day if needed for me to not be induced. I'm pretty against induction unless absolutely necessary though.
You have the right to decline any treatment or take time to weigh all your options before deciding. IF induction is the plan they want to take you can always take some time (even if it's there in the hospital on your phone/comp) to do some risk vs, benefit and then decide from there.
Glad you and bub are okay now & hopefully your levels will look great in the a.m. and it'll be a non-issue! *fingers-crossed*
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Just wanted to chime in too and say induction doesn't necessarily mean c-sec, especially if you've already made some progress on your own. I had to be induced for infection risk and had a normal delivery.
Good luck! -
Good luck! I'm with arden and runsyellowlites don't be too quick to allow induction and explore all medical options. sometime low fluid doesn't always mean baby is ready!
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Wow, I'm so glad you went in to have things checked! I hope your fluid levels go up and you get to go into labor naturally, but no matter how your LO enters this world, it'll still be great and you'll be a mom soon, yay! Induction does increase your chances for a c-section, but since you're already a little bit dilated that makes you more favorable for a successful induction than if your cervix was totally closed. My induction is scheduled for Mon. night...maybe our kids will have the same or almost the same b-day!
Rest a lot and I hope things get better!
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I had a friend that had to have a c section because she was leaking amniotic fluid. However, she knew she was going to have to because she had a cone procedure when she was younger and there was a lot of scar tissue on her cervix and it wasn't safe for her to do a vaginal birth. She was 35 weeks and the baby was 8 lbs!!!!
I'm glad you followed your instincts, though! Good thoughts headed your way!
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Glad you got checked out, hopefully the fluid levels will increase for you! And I'll also chime in that inductions don't necessarily mean a c section - I had one and had a med free delivery, hopefully you'll be able to continue until lo is ready to arrive on their own!
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Thanks ladies! Just feeling restless and uncomfortable sitting here. I'd be terrible on bed-rest! I am curious to see how the fluids change by tomorrow morning. I just imagined I'd be walking around, bouncing on the ball, and holding off the epidural as long as I could since I don't like just lying here....
@tororojo: yeah! It'd be funny! But the cervical check I got still has me at 1cm but -2 station. IDK what the station was last week.
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Ooooh, no advice, but sending lots of good thoughts your way, momma!! Good luck!!
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Thinking about you!! Keep us posted. Fingers crossed fluids are back up tomorrow.
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@shopaholic: 1cm is still better than none, according to my doc! (maybe he was just trying to make me feel better...)
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Ahh, no experience here but I'm hoping for the best! Good luck!!
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Good luck!
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No experience with that issue but good luck, holding your sweet baby in your arms isn't too far away
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Oh, I have experience with low fluid. At 41 weeks, I had an ultrasound and was measured with an aminotic fluid index of 5.1. They told me that this was borderline unacceptable, and that I could go home, but that I had to come back tomorrow morning. Also that if I had any decrease in movement, I had to come back at once.
I did have a decrease that night, so I went back in. My fluid had dropped to 2.8, although they could see her moving. At that point it was determined that they needed to induce. I had a long, difficult induction, with a lot of interventions, but I was able to deliver vaginally. I was not dilated, but I was 50% effaced when we started. I had 12 hours of cervadil, which put me into labor but didn't cause me to dilate, then I had a foley catheter induction followed by pitocin.
My baby, however, was born with an APGAR of 1, and spent a week in the nicu with suspected kidney damage from her traumatic birth. The induction was very hard on her, and it obviously wasn't my first choice either. She turned out to not have any kidney damage, so it all worked out in the end.
Seeing how badly she did with the induction, and based on the fact that my fluid was quite low, but they actually didn't start the induction for another 12 hours (it 'needed' to happen but they weren't in *any* hurry) - I would personally explore options other than immediate induction. I think it is really cool that you're getting to hang out on an IV. That would suck, hugely, but if it gets you another few days until you can maybe go into labor on your own, it would be so worth it.
My experience sucked, but it did end with a vaginal birth and a healthy baby, so it was overall not too bad. But inductions suck, in general. If you have any other options that are safe, I would seriously suggest exploring them.
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@sarac: Thanks for sharing your experience! Your fluid level was just about the same as mine but drpped almost half overnight! I should be thankful and grateful to be monitored and cared for so well.
Do you think your induction caused the low APGAR score? If it were that traumatic or prolonged I think I might rather have a c-sect? I actually just don't want a terribly prolonged labor.
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Oh my goodness! Please listen to your docs! I'll be sending good thoughts your way.
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I have no advice, but think of you! Good luck!
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@shopaholic: best wishes!
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No experience or advice just wanted to wish you good luck!
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@shopaholic: Well, I was hoping for a natural birth, so a csection was my last resort only to be used if our health left no other option. I would trade ten of my awful labors for 1 csection, so no, for that part, I certainly wouldn't choose that in retrospect.
When it came to her health, though, that's harder. Her low apgar and resulting issues were caused by the induction. My fluid was low, and her cord was around her neck, and those two things combined to make it harder for her to get oxygen while I was laboring. Right at the end of my delivery, her heartrate dropped, and I was told I needed to push hard and get it done. I did, but they were watching me very closely, and actually had the pediatric code team outside my door (glad I didn't know that at the time). They pinked her up and took her away. And she was ok. It could have gone either way. Trauma of that sort is a specific risk of an induction when the baby isn't ready to be born.
If you're looking an induction, I would very much think about your feelings about pain med free birth, csections, whatever. If a section isn't something you're super opposed to, maybe that's an better choice than an induction, or maybe you would want to opt for it after 8/12/24 hours. Maybe you'd like to try really hard to go pain med free despite the pitocin. Whatever your hopes are, an induction doesn't have to be the end of them! I labored for a long time without pain meds, and felt proud of that. I told them I didn't want to opt for a section if I had any other choice, and I was able to meet some of my goals for the delivery, if not all of them.
Whew, this is a novel. I hope that whatever happens, you and your baby come out happy and healthy!
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So sorry to hear you're in the hospital but I'm glad you trusted your mommy instincts! Please keep us updated
Sending warm wishes to you and your family. You're doing good mama!
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I posted on your wall but just wanted to show one support here....I'm thinking of you!!!
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@shopaholic: Good luck!! I hope that even hooked up to an IV, you can spend some time walking around and even bouncing on a ball to try to get things moving on your own! I know it's not how you pictured it, but from the other side of a C-section (without induction in my case), it's not the end of the world, and I have a beautiful, happy baby! Keep us posted!
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Good luck! Keep us posted!
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Wishing you well, I had a really long labor too, hang in there.
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@shopaholic: I had a similar issue, but they let me go home and come back twice a week for Non-Stress Tests (NST's). I was induced at 39 weeks and had a vag birth. Ask if you can come in 2-3 times a week for an NST if you want to go home.
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Wishing you good luck! With my first, I was induced as well because I was leaking fluid but wasn't having any contractions. I still ended up having a pain med free vaginal birth so induction may not always lead to a c-section. Try to relax and focus on meeting your little one soon!
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Thinking of you!!
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Thinking about you lady. An induction or c-section isn't the end of the world if it brings your little girl to you safely. Can't wait to see her. Good luck mama!
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I will keep my fingers crossed for you. Just remember, ANY birth be it induction, medicated, unmedicated, or c-section will be beautiful ad wonderful because it brings your baby into the world
No one birth is better than another!
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I second @MsMini! Which ever birth will all lead to meeting your beautiful baby! Sending happy thoughts your way! I can't wait to see pics of your LO!
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Good luck! I will be watching the boards like a hawk for news!!!
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Oh lady, so sorry you're having such a crazy night! I had to go up to L+D during my 39th week for monitoring due to low movement too, so I totally get how stressful and nerve wrecking it is. I know you have to do what's best for you, but my best advice is to listen to the doctors and heed their advice. If they recommend an induction, seriously consider it. It might not be what you imagined, but they know what they're talking about & want what's best for you and baby's health! I think induction has gotten a bad rep here on the 'bee, but they're not all bad and scary! I LOVED my induction, and feel so blessed to have had one. I'll be planning inductions with all of my other babies! Labor and delivery were smooth and fast, and Sadie had an APGAR score of 9 right out the gate. Induction doesn't mean c-section! They broke my water before starting my induction, so I had basically no fluid for most of my induction, and it went perfectly. And even if you do need a C, its okay! Lots and lots of women have wonderful c-section experiences - why do you think so many women elect for them!
(Plus, c-section means no Frankenvag!!) Try not to assume the worst, because all of this is stressful as it is! Try to enjoy your L+D process even if its not what you pictured because it only happens once, and at the end of the day your girl will be here!! Sorry that was a freakin' novel, but I seem to have a different perspective than others, and I wanted to share. Sending lots of love your way. Prayers for a safe, healthy, and happy mama and baby regardless of what the docs say tomorrow!
ETA: @MsMini - yes, what she said!
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@shopaholic: will be thinking of you! you're in the best place, lots of people keeping an eye on you & baby shopaholic
I had lots of monitoring and hospital stays at the end, so boring.. haha
she's almost here!
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Hang in there momma, thinking of you.
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Wishing the best thoughts for you and your LO!
Rest a lot and I hope things get better!
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