
Written by Editorial Team
Amniotic fluid is the protective, slightly yellowish and clear liquid contained in the amniotic sac which surrounds the unborn baby during pregnancy. Amniotic sac forms inside the uterus twelve days after conception. Amniotic fluid will start to form as soon as the sac formation.
During former weeks of pregnancy, the fluid consists mainly the water provided by the mother (justifies the increased thirst during the first trimester). But after 20 weeks of pregnancy, fetal urine will be the primary substance of amniotic fluid as the result of the development of kidneys. The urine contributed by the baby is totally non-dangerous for your baby even though he swallows it. It will pass through the digestive system and kidneys and come out as urine. Gradually towards last trimester, the amniotic fluid will be more of fetus urine than water.
Baby floats in amniotic fluid. Amniotic sac will normally break during the time of delivery. This ‘water breaking’ is the one of the first indications that you are approaching delivery.
Amniotic fluid has a vital part in supporting the life of your unborn baby. Amniotic fluid will help in:
The normal level of amniotic fluid at its fullest is 800ml. this will occur when you are around on 34th week of pregnancy. Towards the last week of pregnancy (full term), due to the growth of fetus the level of amniotic fluid will drop to 600 mL.
Oligohydramnios is a condition of having too little amniotic fluid than normal level. It can occur at any time. If your tummy or baby appears smaller than the normal size that is expected, a low amniotic fluid condition can be anticipated.
The low level of amniotic fluid can be detected in an ultra sound scan.
The risk factors of low amniotic fluid condition depends on three factors:
The low level of amniotic fluid during the first trimester and first half of the second trimester are rare. But when it happens the chances of still birth and miscarriage increases. Growth retardation may occur and can also affect the lung development.
When the low amniotic fluid condition appears once you get into your third trimester relatively chances of giving birth to a healthy baby increases. Only closely and continuously monitoring the fluid level and growth rate of the baby is required.
Complications like pre term birth, IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) – a condition with abnormally low fetal weight are associated with developing oligohydramnios in the second half of pregnancy.
During labor low amniotic fluid level can cause complications such as
All these above complication will promote caesarean section.
Your doctor will observe you very closely when you are undergoing oligohydramnios condition. Intravenous fluid therapy is mostly prescribed by the doctor as natural intake of water may not be able to meet the rehydration needed for restoring the fluid.
Amnioinfusion, in which, saline is induced into amniotic sac through a needle placed in the abdominal wall, is found to try in some cases even though it has only a temporary effect as the amniotic fluid level tend to drop in a couple of weeks.
Eat healthy water content food like fresh fruits, keep yourself well hydrated, take plenty of rest, avoid food items that can dehydrate by sending you to urinate more, lie down on your left side etc. are the things that you can do to keep your amniotic fluid level to keep normal.
Avoid consuming foods and drinks that can have dehydrating effect on you. Never take medicines without an approval from your doctor.
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