Excess Amniotic Fluid at 36 Weeks: What Does It Mean?

Question
my girlfriend is 36 week pregnant we have just been to the 36 week scan and they said that there is to much fluid around the baby and we now have to wait a week to see the specialist what does this mean?

Answer
Hi James,

congratulations on the baby!

I am glad that you are seeing the specialist. Too much fluid can be dangerous but it sounds like they are monitoring it.  The specialist may do a fluid reduction next week, similar to an amnio- this should draw out some of the excess fluid and make things more comfortable and safer. They do this with a needle through the mother's stomach. It sounds horrible but I have seen them done and it is very necessary and helpful. While I have never had it done myself, I have heard that it is not terribly painful and does not harm the baby.

good luck. It may just fix itself too. I assume if there was extreme danger they could induce labor but probably not before they tried to remove the extra fluid.
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