About this topic
When you are pregnant, your baby is in a fluid-filled bag inside your womb. The bag is called the amniotic sac. The name of the fluid that surrounds your baby is amniotic fluid. The fluid: ‚
- Lets your baby move freely. The fluid also helps develop muscles, bones, and other organs.
- Protects your baby from being hurt and from germs
- Helps your babys lungs grow and mature
- Keeps the umbilical cord from being pinched. If the cord gets pinched, your baby may not get enough oxygen.
- Helps keep up the temperature inside your womb
In most cases, your baby swallows the fluid and passes it out of the body as urine over and over. Your baby is recycling the amniotic fluid in your womb. ‚
The amount of fluid raises while you are pregnant. Towards the end of your pregnancy, you will start to have less fluid. Sometimes, your amniotic fluid level may be too high or too low. Either one can harm your baby. ‚
Low amniotic fluid can happen at any time while you are pregnant. During the first 6 months, a low fluid level is likely to cause serious problems like: ‚
- Birth defects ¢ ˆ ’ Problems with the growth of your baby's body
- Miscarriage ¢ ˆ ’ Loss of pregnancy before the baby is born
- Premature baby ¢ ˆ ’ Your baby is born too early. There may be problems because the organs did not have enough time to develop.
- Stillbirth ¢ ˆ ’ The baby is born dead or dies during birth
After 6 months, low fluid levels may cause: ‚
- Low birth weight
- Your baby to grow slowly
- Low oxygen levels and not enough nutrients to your baby
- A need for a C-section where your baby is born through a cut in your belly and womb
What are the causes?
- Problems with your baby like:
- Your babys kidneys are not working well or did not develop
- Your baby's urinary tract is blocked
- Problems with the placenta. The baby stops recycling the fluid because the placenta is not giving enough blood and nutrients.
- Amniotic sac is leaking. Fluid leaking is a sign of premature rupture of membranes.
- Issues with the mother like:
- Low fluid levels
- Long-term low oxygen levels
- Taking some kinds of drugs
What can make this more likely to happen?
- Pregnancy that goes past your due date
- You are pregnant with more than one baby
- Not getting care from a doctor before your baby is born
- Having some other health problem like high blood pressure or too much sugar in the blood
What are the main signs?
- Your baby is smaller in size than expected
- You are leaking fluid
- Your belly is small for your stage of pregnancy
- Your baby does not move often
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will take your history and do an exam. The doctor will ask if you think you are leaking any fluid. Your doctor will measure how big your belly is. The doctor checks the size to know if your belly falls in the normal range of growth for your stage of pregnancy. If your belly is small, you may have low levels of amniotic fluid. You may need to have an ultrasound to measure how much fluid is on all sides of your baby. ‚
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Your doctor will treat you based on what stage of pregnancy you are in. ‚
- You may not need any treatment if your fluid level is low near the end of your pregnancy. The doctor may just check your amniotic fluid levels each week. Your doctor will watch you and your baby very closely.
- Sometimes, the doctor will want to deliver the baby early. Your doctor will start your labor with drugs or induce labor.
- Other times, the doctor will add a special fluid to your amniotic sac. Your doctor will do an amniocentesis and add fluid to help raise the level of amniotic fluids.
- When you are in labor, the doctor may put a tube through your birth canal into your womb. Then, the doctor can add fluid around your baby. The added fluid may lower the chance for a C-section. An amnioinfusion is when the doctor adds fluid while you are in labor.
What drugs may be needed?
Drugs will not be needed to treat low amniotic fluid. If you need to deliver your baby early, your doctor may give you drugs. The drugs will help soften, thin, and open your birth canal and induce labor. ‚
Will there be any other care needed?
- Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each day. Drinking extra fluids will help raise the amount of amniotic fluid.
- You may have to limit your activity. Your doctor may have you stay on bedrest to avoid more problems.
- Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of preterm labor. Signs may be bleeding, cramping, or more fluid leaking.
Where can I learn more?
American Pregnancy Association ‚
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/lowamnioticfluidoligohydramnios.htm ‚
March of Dimes ‚
http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/complications_oligohydramnios.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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