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Amniotic fluid is the fluid that surrounds and protects the fetus during its growth period in the uterus. Amniotic fluid plays an important role during pregnancy, Mother.
According to a review in the National Library of Medicine, amniotic fluid functions to protect the umbilical cord by providing cushioning, thereby reducing compression between the fetus and the uterine wall. Apart from that, amniotic fluid can also protect the fetus from infection, and plays a role in the development and growth of fetal organs, such as the musculoskeletal system, digestive system and pulmonary system.
“Doctors can use amniotic fluid as a tool to monitor pregnancy progress and predict pregnancy outcomes,” the review states.
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According to a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, Monique Rainford, MD., amniotic fluid is clear to slightly yellowish in color. Amniotic fluid will decrease when the pregnancy is at term.
“At around the 34th week of pregnancy, around 800 milliliters (ml) of amniotic fluid surrounds the fetus. At term pregnancy, namely 40 weeks, around 600 ml of amniotic fluid remains,” said Rainford, reported by Very Well Health.
Ultrasound scanty amniotic fluid
The volume of amniotic fluid will be evaluated every time you undergo an ultrasound examination (USG). There are several ways to estimate the volume of amniotic fluid, namely through the amniotic fluid index (AFI) and measuring the amniotic sac.
Through ultrasound, the doctor can see whether the amniotic fluid is low or not. Low amniotic fluid is also called oligohydramnios.
“Oligohydramnios occurs when there is too little amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus during pregnancy. This occurs in about 4 percent of pregnancies,” Rainford said.
Low amniotic fluid volume can be caused by various complications in the mother, fetus, or placenta. This condition can cause bad outcomes for the fetus, Mother.
Cause little water
Oligohydramnios can occur for several reasons, such as insufficient amniotic fluid produced, or there is a problem that causes the amount of amniotic fluid to decrease.
Here are some possible causes of low amniotic fluid:
Poor fetal growth Amniotic fluid ruptures before delivery Pregnancy past the due date Identical twins who share a placenta Birth defects, most commonly kidney and urinary tract problems Problems with the placenta Mother has diabetes, hypertension or preeclampsia Mother is dehydrated during pregnancy History of oligohydramnios in previous pregnancy
Illustration of an ultrasound scan of amniotic fluid/Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Symptoms of amniotic fluid are slight
Symptoms of oligohydramnios can vary between pregnant women and may also appear as symptoms of other conditions. Here are some symptoms of amniotic fluid that you need to know:
Not enough amniotic fluid is visible during an ultrasound examination The uterus is smaller than expected for this stage of pregnancy Amniotic fluid leaks Decreased fetal movement Weight does not gain
There is little danger of amniotic fluid
A little amniotic fluid is dangerous for the fetus in the womb, especially if it occurs at six months of pregnancy. In fact, low amniotic fluid can occur at any time, but most often occurs in the final trimester.
The following are some complications or dangers of low amniotic fluid to the fetus:
Abnormal lung development Premature birth Miscarriage and stillbirth (stillbirth) Deformities caused by compression in the uterus Infection if the amniotic fluid breaks prematurely Compression of the umbilical cord Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR) Increased risk of caesarean delivery
According to the American Pregnancy Association (APA), oligohydramnios can cause complications in about 12 percent of pregnancies past 41 weeks.
How to deal with low amniotic fluid
The sooner you find out about the low amount of amniotic fluid, the more things you can do to overcome it. Treatment requires consultation with a doctor. However, mothers can also increase amniotic fluid in natural ways, such as:
1. Drink water
Consuming sufficient fluids can maintain amniotic fluid volume. A study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology shows that hydration is very helpful in increasing amniotic fluid levels in women between 37 and 41 weeks of gestation.
2. Complete rest
Complete rest or bed rest is recommended by many doctors for pregnant women who have little amniotic fluid. Rest can help increase blood flow to the placenta, which in turn can help increase amniotic fluid.
“Bed rest will likely be recommended in the second trimester or early third trimester by the doctor, especially before giving birth,” said nurse Megan Dix, RN, BSN, as reported by Healthline.
3. Supplementation
A 2016 study published in The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India explains that the use of L-arginine supplementation can treat oligohydramnio by increasing amniotic fluid levels.
This supplementation is also thought to extend the duration of pregnancy and reduce the risk of complications. The use of supplementation should be consulted with a doctor first, as is the case regarding the use of other medicines.
That’s an explanation of low amniotic fluid, the dangers, and how to deal with it. Hopefully this information is useful, Mother.
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(ank/rap)