While pregnancy is an exciting journey for expecting moms, it can significantly induce severe complications too. The issue of low amniotic fluid, also known as oligohydramnios, is a less common condition that affects approximately 4 percent of pregnancies worldwide.
Read this article to find out what it means to have low amniotic fluid during pregnancy, its causes, risks, and tips to manage it.
Importance of Amniotic Fluid During Pregnancy
Amniotic fluid is contained in the amniotic sac of a pregnant woman and is a protective liquid that helps in
- Acting as a shock absorber while protecting the developing fetus from any kind of pressure or injury.
- Maintaining constant pressure around the baby
- Protecting the fetus against any infections
- Proper development of the lungs, digestive system, and muscles in babies.
What Is Meant by Low Amniotic Fluid?
A low amniotic fluid means a low amniotic volume, which is expected for that gestational phase. Your ObG will diagnose low amniotic volume based on your AFI values derived during ultrasound.
Causes of Low Amniotic Fluid
There are several risk factors and causes that may result in low amniotic fluid during pregnancy. Here are a few.
- Maternal health complications, such as dehydration, high blood pressure, or diabetes
- Placental concerns arise when the placenta is not able to supplement the baby with the baby with proper blood and nutrients, which may ultimately result in the dropping of amniotic fluid levels.
- Ruptured membranes, or what is commonly called water breaking, are a common cause of low amniotic levels.
- Birth defects
- Chromosomal abnormalities may also reduce amniotic fluid volume.
Health Complications Associated With Low Amniotic Fluid
A low AFI can lead to severe complications, posing several risks to both the baby and the expecting mother. If the conditions occur during the second or third trimester, the consequences can even increase. Some possible risks include:
Labor Complications
In cases where the baby shows some indications of distress, a case-specific delivery is deemed necessary, which has its own impacts.
Umbilical Cord Complications
A low amniotic volume can lead to compression of the umbilical cord, which can significantly affect the oxygen supply to the developing fetus.
Compression of Fetal Organs
Another potential consequence related to a low amniotic level is compression of fetal organs, particularly the lungs.
Tips to Manage Amniotic Fluid Levels
The severity of the condition and the stage of pregnancy at which it occurs can significantly impact the approach to managing oligohydramnios. Some of the helpful tips include
- Drink Plenty of Fluids: Ensuring proper hydration can often help increase the amniotic fluid volume.
- Amnioinfusion: This is another approach wherein, during labor, the amniotic sac is infused with saline to help prevent any risks of further complications and protect the baby.
- Early Delivery: In some cases, when the condition occurs during the third trimester or when the pregnancy is near term, early pregnancy is recommended to protect the baby from potential health risks.
Takeaway
A low amniotic fluid can result in severe complications for both the baby’s and the mother’s health. Therefore, it is important to get a proper diagnosis of AFI regularly. If you notice any possible signs of a low amniotic level, we recommend you seek out your healthcare provider, who may then suggest proper tests for diagnosis and treatment options for a safe pregnancy journey.
Also read our interesting article on some top myths about pregnancy you need to know about.
