The amniotic fluid acts as a cushion to the baby in your womb. It also helps in the development of the baby’s lungs, digestive tract, and muscles. Too high or too little fluid volume may sometimes cause complications in pregnancy. In this MomJunction post, we will help explain the signficance of amniotic fluid.
What Is Polyhydramnios?
Excess build-up of amniotic fluid around the growing baby is termed as polyhydramnios or hydramnios (1). According to the Fetal Medicine Foundation, UK, this condition occurs in one out of 100 cases (2). Ideally, the doctor checks the amniotic fluid levels through an ultrasound. The normal volume of amniotic fluid should be between 500 and 1000ml. If it goes beyond this, there could be certain problems in the pregnancy.
What Are The Causes Of Polyhydramnios?
In most cases, it not clear why the amniotic fluid levels increase. However, some possible causes are:
Symptoms Of Polyhydramnios
Excess amniotic fluid can put pressure on the uterus and nearby organs. This could cause (2) (6).
Discomfort in the stomach Image: iStock Shortness of breath Contractions Swelling in the abdominal wall and lower extremities Change of fetal position A uterus enlarged more than normal for that time in pregnancy.
Risks Related To Excess Amniotic Fluid
Polyhydramnios could be mild, moderate, or severe. Severe polyhydramnios is associated with the following complications (2) (6).
Too much fluid can expand your uterus and result in preterm labor
Early rupture of the amniotic sac
When amniotic fluid leaks, there could be placental abruption (detachment of the placenta from the uterus)
Umbilical cord prolapse (when the umbilical cord drops into the vagina)
Heavy bleeding after birth
Stillbirth
Timely diagnosis could help prevent these risks.
Diagnosis Of Polyhydramnios
Based on the checkup and the symptoms displayed, the doctor will recommend a fetal ultrasound. If the results hint at excess amniotic fluid, a detailed ultrasound is done (6). There are two ways to measure the volume of the amniotic fluid.
The latest method and most accurate is measuring the deepest vertical pocket of amniotic fluid, call the “DVP”. Normal range is greater than 2cm but less than 8cm.
The second method is AFI or amniotic fluid index, which is the sum of the largest pockets of different parts in the uterus. If this measurement is greater than 25cm, it suggests excess amniotic fluid volume.
How Can Polyhydramnios Be Treated?
Polyhydramnios rarely requires any treatment. However, scheduled ultrasounds are done to closely monitor the amniotic fluid index and the baby’s health. Rarely occuring but in severe cases of polyhydramnios, a few treatments may be recommended to reduce the amniotic fluid level become symptomatic with shortness of breath or signs and symptoms of preterm contractions. Treatment options may differ depending on certain factors such as the severity of the condition, its cause, symptoms, and gestational age (8). Besides the treatment, following a few self-care measures can help.
Can Polyhydramnios Cause Birth Defects?
Polyhydramnios or too much of amniotic fluid may rarely indicates that there could be a congenital anomaly or a birth defect in the baby, but it dose not cause them. If the doctor finds that there is too much amniotic fluid, an ultrasound or other tests could be done to analyze the risks. The treatment options are recommended based on the results.
Is Polyhydramnios Dangerous For The Baby?
A severe case of polyhydramnios could increase the risks of preterm labor, placental abruption, infections, and stillbirth. But proper diagnosis and treatments in time can help in cutting down these risks.
