What is the difference between amniotic fluid index and amniotic fluid depth? What should I do if the amniotic fluid index is too low?

The amniotic fluid index is an important indicator of whether the fetus is developing healthily in the uterus. It is particularly important to understand the amniotic fluid index standard. So what is the normal amniotic fluid index? Expectant mothers, hurry up and take notes.

1. Different concepts

The amniotic fluid index is to divide the uterus into four quadrants: upper left, upper right, lower left and lower right, and measure the vertical depth of the amniotic fluid pool in each quadrant. The sum of the four is the amniotic fluid index. The depth of amniotic fluid is a medical term. It is the vertical depth of the largest amniotic fluid pool indicated by B-ultrasound examination. It is also an important indicator for judging the amount of amniotic fluid.

2. Different standards

The normal range of the amniotic fluid index is 8cm to 24cm. If it is greater than 24cm, it is diagnosed as polyhydramnios. If the amniotic fluid index is between 18 and 24cm, it is suspected polyhydramnios or too much amniotic fluid. If it is less than 8cm, it is oligohydramnios. The depth of amniotic fluid is 3-8cm, which is the normal amount of amniotic fluid. Less than 3cm indicates oligohydramnios, and more than 8cm indicates polyhydramnios.

3. Different calculation methods

The amniotic fluid index is to measure the depth of the amniotic fluid in the four quadrants separately and then add them up to get the total. If the depths of the four quadrants are CM, 3CM, 3CM, 3CM, then 3.1+3+3+3=12.1 cm. 12.1 is the amniotic fluid index. The depth of the amniotic fluid is the vertical depth of the largest quadrant, so, according to the above test standard, the depth of the amniotic fluid is 3.1cm.

4. The significance of detection is different

The amniotic fluid index is the sum of the four quadrants. It is a comprehensive testing standard that can reflect the overall situation of the amniotic fluid and indicate whether the amount of amniotic fluid is normal. The depth of the amniotic fluid is a rigid standard, which must be between 3 and 8 cm. When the maximum depth is less than 3 cm or more than 7 cm, the amniotic fluid index is ignored and it is directly determined to be too little or too much. It will be directly determined that there is too little amniotic fluid and the fetus needs to be preserved.

1. Bed rest to preserve pregnancy

If the amniotic fluid index is low in early pregnancy, there is a possibility that the fetal membrane and the fetus may adhere, leading to fetal malformation or miscarriage. Therefore, if low amniotic fluid is found in the early stage, it needs to be taken seriously and hospitalized for fetal preservation treatment if necessary.

2. Further inspection

Oligohydramnios found in the second trimester is often associated with fetal malformation, and requires detailed examination, such as cord blood or amniotic fluid chromosome examination, to rule out chromosomal abnormalities. If fetal malformation is confirmed, termination of pregnancy is required.

3. Drink more water to replenish amniotic fluid

If the amniotic fluid index is found to be too low, mothers can drink more water or soy milk to increase the mother's blood circulation, indirectly increase the uterine placental circulation, and achieve the purpose of replenishing amniotic fluid.

4. Amnioinfusion of amniotic fluid

Amnioinfusion can directly replenish amniotic fluid, usually by injecting saline into the amniotic cavity. It can relieve fetal distress and restore the protective effect of amniotic fluid on the fetus in late pregnancy when the fetus is immature or there is too little amniotic fluid and other methods are ineffective.

1. Further inspection

If the amniotic fluid index is high, further examination is generally recommended to confirm whether the fetus is malformed. If it is accompanied by malformations, termination of pregnancy is recommended. Generally, if there is too much amniotic fluid, some amniotic fluid needs to be released after rupturing the membrane before induced labor can be performed.

2. Pay attention to your diet

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that excessive amniotic fluid is caused by the spleen deficiency of pregnant women, which cannot absorb water in the body, breaking the balance of amniotic fluid production and absorption. Therefore, if the amniotic fluid index is too high, pregnant women should pay attention to their daily diet, drink less water, eat less salt, and eat more foods that help drain water. You can take dietary therapy to regulate it.

3. Medication

Excessive amniotic fluid can be treated with oral diuretics or traditional Chinese medicine for strengthening the spleen, promoting water, warming yang and transforming qi under the guidance of a doctor. However, since drug treatment may have adverse effects on the fetus, it should be used with caution.

At 32 weeks, the fetus gradually grows, and the bones and organs become more mature and strong. At this time, the fetus can already hear sounds outside the mother's body. Body length: 42-46 cm, weight about 2 kg-2.7 kg. B-ultrasound shows: biparietal diameter: 7.79-8.18 cm, humerus: 5.54 cm, femur: 6.55 cm, chest circumference: 22.3 cm, abdominal circumference: 25.36 cm, normal range of amniotic fluid index: 15-16 cm.