If the mother's placenta is not acting sufficiently anymore, this may lead to a decrease in amniotic fluid.If the mother's water has broken (membranes ruptured), this will lead to a decrease in amniotic fluid.If the mother rests on her left side before or during the fluid measurement, this can increase amniotic fluid levels. If a woman with low amniotic fluid levels at term drinks at least 2.5 Liters of fluid per day, she increases the likelihood that her amniotic fluid levels will be back up to normal by the time of delivery.Women are more likely to be diagnosed with low amniotic fluid levels during the summer, possibly because of dehydration.If the mother is dehydrated, this may lower the amniotic fluid levels.What can cause low amniotic fluid at term?īoth mother and baby factors can contribute to low amniotic fluid at term. Amniotic fluid levels increase until the mother reaches about 34-36 weeks, and then levels gradually decline until birth ( Brace 1997). Because the mother's fluid levels are the original source of amniotic fluid, changes in the mother's fluid status can result in changes in the amount of amniotic fluid. This same amniotic fluid is then swallowed by the baby and re-absorbed by the lining of the placenta. This liquid originally came from the mother, and then flowed through the placenta, to the baby, and out through the baby's bladder and lungs ( Brace 1997). Amniotic fluid cushions the umbilical cord, protects the baby from infection, and provides fluid, space, nutrients, and hormones to help the baby grow ( Brace 1997).ĭuring the second half of pregnancy, amniotic fluid is made up of the baby's urine and lung secretions. Amniotic fluid helps protect the baby from trauma to the mother's abdomen. What is amniotic fluid, and what does it do?ĭuring pregnancy, the baby is surrounded by a liquid called amniotic fluid. Not sure how to pronounce oligohydramnios? Click here. ( oligo = little, hydr = water, amnios = membrane around the fetus, or amniotic sac). Oligohydramnios means low fluid inside the amniotic sac. 2009).īut what is the evidence for this standard birth practice? Let's take a look at the evidence together. In fact, 95% of physicians who practice maternal-fetal medicine feel that isolated oligohydramnios - low amniotic fluid in an otherwise healthy pregnancy - is an indication for labor induction at 40 weeks ( Schwartz, Sweeting et al. is to induce labor at term if a mother has low amniotic fluid in an otherwise healthy pregnancy. This is a great question and I felt like it was a perfect topic for my first article for Science and Sensibility. I'm also curious about causes of low fluid (theorized or known), risks of low fluid, and perhaps as important if not more so, measurements of low fluid.' What does the research say about low fluid at or near term? From what I've been able to see in research summaries at least, there appears to be no improved outcome for babies, but I'd love to see the research really hashed out. 'Low fluid seems to be the new 'big baby' for pushing for induction. This question came from one of my readers: I look forward to future posts and collaboration with Rebecca and thank her for her contribution today.- SM Look for an interview with Rebecca in an upcoming post where we will learn how this Assistant Professor of Nursing who teaches pathopharmacology and studies depression in patients with heart failure ended up writing the Evidence Based Birth blog appreciated by birth professionals. Polyhydramnios.Today's post on the Evidence for Induction for Low Amniotic Fluid in a Healthy Pregnancy is a guest post by blogger Rebecca Dekker, owner of the fairly new blog in the birth world, Evidence Based Birth that has been very well received and enjoyed by many. Oligohydramnios in complicated and uncomplicated pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rabie N, Magann E, Steelman S, Ounpraseuth S. Oligohydramnios treatment at Midwest Fetal Care Center. Correlation of ultrasound estimated with dye-determined or directly measured amniotic fluid volume revisited. Magann EF, Ounpraseuth S, Chauhan SP, et al. Amniotic fluid assessment: amniotic fluid index versus maximum vertical pocket. Amniotic fluid from healthy term pregnancies does not harbor a detectable microbial community.
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