Twenty-three-year-old Crystal Porter's first pregnancy was a memorable one. Her burgeoning belly performed weight-gain and weight-loss acrobatics, swinging first to one extreme and then another.
By her third trimester, it was not unusual for Porter to gain 10 pounds, lose 8 the next day and then gain 5 pounds back again. But for Porter, it wasn't a battle with poor eating habits that caused the fluctuations.
For many women diagnosed with polyhydramnios, the amount of fluid makes it difficult to feel the baby's movements. |
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Her first pregnancy was marked by polyhydramnios, a medical term meaning Porter's uterus was filled with too much amniotic fluid. Most often, physicians gauge the amount of fluid by number. For example, while most women measure at an amniotic fluid level of 11 around 7 months of pregnancy, Porter measured 38.
"Besides being miserable, I did look rather ridiculous," says Porter. "My stomach didn't even look real." The Springfield, Ill., mother-to-be had an uneventful pregnancy until she reached her 7th month, when amniotic fluid levels began to fluctuate between 25 and 38.
I was told yesterday that my fluid level has gone up a bit. They have scheduled another test in 2 weeks for polyhydramnios. I am really scared.
I was told yesterday that my fluid level has gone up a bit. They have scheduled another test in 2 weeks for polyhydramnios. I am really scared.
Have polyhydramnios...don't know why...no gestational diabetes, no fetal complications, just a really distended belly. The baby is measuring large for gestational age. I am on bedrest as polyhydramnios is causing preterm contractions. I am being assured nothing is wrong, but can't help but be nervous.
Great story! I also had too much fluid. I really didn't know much about it until today when I started reading. My child was born 7 years ago so I don't know what made me look it up today! LOL My doc didn't tell me much about it except she wasn't comfortable leaving me pregnant any longer. But this explains my extremely swollen feet and legs, and my need for a c-section. I also had hypertention and pregnancy induced carpal tunnel. It was a rough pregnancy with morning sickness until the day I delivered! This is why I decided to only have one! LOL But she's healthy as can be!
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