What to do if there is too much amniotic fluid? How to test if there is too much or too little amniotic fluid

Amniotic fluid is the baby's water of life, allowing the baby to grow healthily in the mother's body. Too much or too little amniotic fluid requires doctor's treatment. Too much amniotic fluid can be treated by amniotic fluid drainage, while too little amniotic fluid requires amniotic fluid infusion.

Amniotic fluid, the water of life for your baby

"Amniotic fluid" is the liquid that surrounds the baby in the amniotic cavity. It plays an irreplaceable and important role in the baby's growth process:

Baby's protective shield: Amniotic fluid has a very good cushioning effect. If the pregnant mother's belly is accidentally subjected to external pressure or impact, the amniotic fluid will provide a layer of protection like a protective shield, providing buffer space to ensure the baby's safety.

Baby's greenhouse: Amniotic fluid also helps maintain the temperature in the uterus, allowing the baby to grow up in a warm and stable environment.

Baby's activity space: It provides a space like a swimming pool for the baby to grow, roll, and exercise, helping the baby's muscles and bones to develop normally and avoid being compressed by the uterus. Therefore, if there is too little amniotic fluid, the baby's limbs may develop abnormally.

Let the baby be born smoothly: Amniotic fluid can help lubricate the birth canal and make the delivery process smoother.

The amount of amniotic fluid varies at different stages of pregnancy

1. Early pregnancy

In the first three months of pregnancy, the amount of amniotic fluid is not much, most of which is secreted by the placenta and fetal membranes, and its composition is similar to that of blood.

2. Mid- to late-stage pregnancy

As the baby's kidneys and urinary system develop, drops of urine are discharged into the amniotic cavity. Together with the secretions of the digestive and respiratory tracts, the amount of amniotic fluid increases, giving the baby more room to grow. In addition, meconium (baby's stool) will form in 5 to 7 months. If the discharge of meconium is serious, the baby may inhale the meconium mixed in the amniotic fluid into the trachea or lungs when taking a deep breath, causing severe meconium aspiration.

Around the 34th to 36th week, the amount of amniotic fluid is at its highest, about 700~1000cc. After 36 weeks, the placenta function declines, the blood supply to the baby decreases, and the urine discharged also decreases, so the amount of amniotic fluid gradually decreases, and there will be only about 200cc left.

When the baby is about to be born, the amniotic membrane in the uterus ruptures and the amniotic fluid flows out of the vagina. This is the phenomenon of "water breaking". (Four key points to distinguish "water breaking" from "urinary leakage" and when will the baby be born after water breaking?)

How to test if there is too much or too little amniotic fluid

The amount of amniotic fluid is closely related to the health of the baby, so measuring the amount of amniotic fluid is a very important item in prenatal examinations. There are two main ways to observe:

1. Height of the uterine fundus: The doctor will check whether the uterus is larger or smaller than the general standard. This is a preliminary judgment principle, but it is not very accurate.

2. Ultrasound: This is the most commonly used examination method. Simply put, the uterus is divided into four quadrants: upper, lower, left, and right. The depth of the amniotic fluid sac is measured in each quadrant and then added up. Finally, the "amniotic fluid index" is calculated to determine whether it is normal.

*Amniotic fluid index: The sum of the maximum vertical diameter (maximum diameter parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body) of each amniotic sac in the four quadrants. When the amniotic fluid index is between 5 and 24 cm, it is normal; less than 5 cm is called "oligohydramnios"; and an amniotic fluid index greater than 24 cm is called "polyhydramnios". (Image source)

Too much amniotic fluid, what to do

If the amount of amniotic fluid is too much, it will put a burden on the uterus. The uterus, which should be only the size of a 28-week pregnancy, will be stretched to the size of a 32-week pregnancy. This may cause abnormal uterine contraction, rupture of the amniotic membrane, massive loss of amniotic fluid or premature birth.

How to deal with it?

When there is too much amniotic fluid, the obstetrician and gynecologist will decide the treatment plan according to the number of weeks of pregnancy. If the situation is serious, the obstetrician and gynecologist will consider draining the excess amniotic fluid, which is called "amniotic fluid drainage" to reduce the burden on the mother's uterus. The operation is not difficult and can also be treated with medication.

Too little amniotic fluid, what to do

If there is too little amniotic fluid, the baby's growth space will be limited, and there will not be enough space for the hands and feet to develop and stretch. In severe cases, it will cause fetal malformations. Most importantly, the lungs will be underdeveloped because the chest cavity cannot expand smoothly. This is a very serious complication. The baby cannot breathe with his own lungs and may be in danger of life! The most common reason for too little amniotic fluid is early rupture of water, so pregnant mothers should pay close attention to whether there are signs of rupture of water. If medical treatment is delayed, it may cause uterine infection or premature birth. The reason may also be that there is a problem with the baby's kidney development, or abnormal urethra obstruction, which prevents the amniotic fluid from being discharged smoothly. In addition, if the pregnant mother has gestational hypertension, preeclampsia or kidney disease, once the placental function is affected, it may also cause too little amniotic fluid.

How to deal with it?

If the situation of too little amniotic fluid is serious, the doctor may use "amniotic fluid infusion" to inject physiological saline into the amniotic cavity. In addition, pregnant mothers can also drink more water to keep the body hydrated, which is also conducive to the production of amniotic fluid.

Conclusion: If you are told that you have too much or too little amniotic fluid, pregnant mothers do not need to panic too much. Remember to follow the doctor's instructions, drink more water, pay attention to diet and daily routine, don't worry too much, and relax so as not to make the baby in your belly uneasy!