These words may be foreign to you or maybe you’re here because you know what the procedure is - and are maybe thinking about it for yourself.
An amniotic fluid reduction is preserved for those who have rather severe Polyhydramnios while pregnant. It usually hits in the third trimester, though it can happen sooner, and can accelerate very rapidly or just over time. Some women’s fluid count can get up to as high as 50-60 cm which, in my opinion, sounds like the absolute worst thing in the world.
My fluid got up to 40 cm and that was already pushing it for me. I’m naturally a smaller person and thus the amount of weight I’m physically able to carry is different from others. By 40 cm I was experiencing some of the worst types of discomfort a pregnant woman can experience. Severe heartburn that struck many times throughout the day, rib pain like you wouldn’t believe and the feeling of not being able to breathe, especially when lying on your back. Countless contractions throughout the day and night. Difficulty walking or doing any sort of physical activity. Even turning over in bed was difficult for me and not done without some sort of pain.
Despite how much fluid I was carrying, my baby was very tiny (only 3 lbs at 34 weeks). I told my doctor that either I get the amnio reduction or I physically cannot carry this baby any longer.
I was very afraid of the amnio reduction procedure because if it was anything like the amniocentesis then I was not on board. The amniocentesis was done without any sort of medication/numbing - it was a straight needle jabbed into my stomach without warning. Definitely one of the worst experiences ever.
But luckily my doctor was knowledgeable with the amnio reduction and performed it in the hospital where my baby would be monitored very closely, and I would be administered drugs to help me not feel much of anything. He even numbed the spot on my stomach where the needle was inserted, and I even had to ask if he had already started because I couldn’t feel a thing! It was fantastic… and that’s not just because of the drugs.
The procedure took close to an hour with 4-5 different hands-on deck. One nurse kept the ultrasound monitor on my baby the entire time to make sure the tube/needle inside my stomach didn’t get anywhere near the baby and to also monitor baby’s heartbeat. My doctor hand suctioned the fluid out with a large syringe, filled it up, and another nurse emptied it out in a large liter sized bottle.
3 liters of amniotic fluid was taken out. My doctor said even a fourth could’ve been taken but he didn’t want to take the risk. Already my stomach was looking rather lumpy and deflated. My fluid went from 40 cm to 28 cm.
Afterwards, they monitored my contractions and baby’s heart rate for a few hours to make sure I didn’t go into labor. I was definitely having rapid contractions that were rather painful and baby’s heartbeat dipped twice during it but soon they let up and baby was doing fine. They let me go home after just a few hours.
The next morning, I had an appointment with my doctor where they checked to make sure baby was doing well and she was. It was all a great relief and that had been the first night in what seemed like so long where I was actually able to sleep without discomfort.
We can’t say how quickly my fluid will replace itself but if it does before my date of c-section and it becomes an issue once again for me, then my doctor will delivery baby early.
I had this procedure done at 34 weeks + 4 days. I’m happy to know this has allowed more time for our little babe to grow!
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