Low water content

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Low water content

Oligohydramnios means that there is not enough amniotic fluid surrounding the baby in the uterus. This aqueous compound supports the child in a variety of ways and its size should be correct, i.e. not too small or too small, as this will not impair the child’s well-being.

What does amniotic fluid do?

• Grows and supports the baby in the womb

• This helps the baby move in the womb; especially with a twist

• It helps the baby’s lungs, skin, limbs and muscles to develop

• It moves in and out of the baby's lungs while "breathing" and helps the lungs mature.

• Babies swallow amniotic fluid, so their bodies have a constant cycle and processing

Where does amniotic fluid come from?

In early pregnancy, amniotic fluid is formed in the amniotic sac. Fluid comes directly from the mother’s circulating fluid volume and helps the baby support the baby until it performs this function. From about 11 weeks of gestation, the baby's kidneys produce urine, which is the main source of amniotic fluid.

Amniotic fluid or liqueur is usually clear and has a distinctive odor of almost ammonia type. If the baby is still in the womb and the bowel empties (meconium), the amniotic fluid will clear up and turn into a spot or green with black patches, which is caused by the baby’s black meconium.

How is it measured?

There are several ways to measure amniotic fluid volume. The amniotic fluid index (AFI) can be measured under ultrasound. It is the sum of the deepest, unobstructed, vertical fluid levels in each of the 4 quadrants of the uterus.

Oligohydramnios is suspected when less than 32 ml of amniotic fluid is present between 36-500 weeks of gestation. However, every pregnancy is unique and a small amount of amniotic fluid is not always a cause for concern. For example, it is common for the volume of amniotic fluid to decrease as the expected confinement period (EDC) approaches.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, approximately 8% of pregnant women may have low levels of amniotic fluid, but only ½ (4%) of them are diagnosed with oligohydramnios.

Mothers with oligohydramnios may not look as large as they normally would at pregnancy. A small and compact appearance can give information about the amount of fluid that surrounds the baby. There may also be a change in the level of fetal movements, for example, with a slowing of whole body movements. This is because the amniotic fluid acts as a buffer to support the somersaults and tumblers while in the baby’s abdomen.

What causes oligohydramnios?

• It's overdue. Because the amount of amniotic fluid is reduced, women who are two weeks or more of the prescribed period are at greater risk. This can range from 42 weeks to 50% of pregnancy.

• This is more common in babies with a congenital abnormality.

• In infants with abnormal kidneys or urinary tract problems, there may be less urination, resulting in decreased amniotic fluid volume.

• This is more common in babies with chromosomal abnormalities.

• If there is an interruption in blood flow through the placenta, it affects the amount of blood flowing to the baby and consequently the amount of urine they produce.

• If membranes leak or rupture. This may not always be clear, especially if the mother has back water or a slow flow of amniotic fluid.

• If the mother is in poor condition, dehydrated, has preeclampsia, has problems with her kidneys or gestational diabetes.

What can happen with oliogohydramnios?

• Complications can occur, especially in women who have had a miscarriage.

• Pressure on the child as well as their limbs. This is because there are not enough pillows between the baby and the mother’s uterine wall.

• Miscarriage or increased stillbirth.

• Slowness of intrauterine growth in the baby, premature birth and lack of strength and well-being as they may be during childbirth.

• Pulmonary maturation in a child with increased likelihood of respiratory distress after birth.

• The pressure in the umbilical cord then affects the transfer of blood, oxygen and nutrients to the baby.

• Oligohydramnios in early pregnancy can lead to deformity of the limbs in a child.

• Oligohydramnios lasts for a while and is severe and can cause a number of problems in the child.

When can oligohydramnios occur?

This mainly happens in the third trimester of pregnancy. When diagnosed on a 20-week scan, the cause is usually related to kidney (kidney) complications in the baby.

What is the treatment?

It depends on the stage of pregnancy. Monitoring, measuring the abdomen, regular ultrasound check-ups, and recording the baby’s movements are all standard management options enough. If the volume is too low, then extra fluid may be injected into the mother’s abdomen during childbirth in the form of a saline solution to relieve any possible compression of the umbilical cord. If the mother is in poor condition and dehydrated, intravenous fluids can help restore her circulating fluid volume, which raises the amniotic fluid balance to a safe level.

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