Excessive Amniotic Fluid During Pregnancy
It is estimated that 2% of pregnant women have excess amniotic fluid, a condition known as polyhydramnios . Changes in the amniotic fluid at any stage of pregnancy can lead to life-threatening complications. Next, find out what it is, how it is diagnosed and the possible causes of this condition.
What is polyhydramnios?
Polyhydramnios or excess amniotic fluid is nothing more than an increase in the amount of fluid in the amniotic sac. An adequate amount of fluid protects the baby, who begins to swallow and inhale until the second trimester of pregnancy.
This allows the development of the lungs and digestive system, as the increase in fluid indicates a problem in these mechanisms.
It is diagnosed through an ultrasound which determines the level of amniotic fluid. It is performed by calculating the depth of fluid in four areas of the uterus to add up the results obtained. If there is a depth greater than 24 cm, the pregnant woman has polyhydramnios.
How much amniotic fluid is in a normal state?
The amount of amniotic fluid can vary with each woman and increases as the pregnancy progresses. However, its highest point is reached until week 32, and remains stable until week 36.
From then on it starts to diminish, but it never ceases to exist. It can reach quantities of approximately 800 ml to 1 liter.
Causes of excess amniotic fluid
In most cases, the causes of this anomaly are unknown to the medical community. However, it is assumed that it occurs due to excessive production of liquid or problems with its absorption. Other likely causes are:
Gestational diabetes
There is a slight increase in this condition in women with diabetes and an inability to control blood sugar levels.
fetal changes
Another cause of excess amniotic fluid is fetal malformations. Incorrect development of the esophagus, pancreas, duodenum and even the fetal nervous system increases the chances of occurrence of polyhydramnios. Other fetal changes can be:
- Neural tube closure defects.
- Hydrocephalus, holoprosencephaly or microcephaly, among others.
- Cardiac disorders such as valve insufficiency and arrhythmias, among others.
- Anomalies in the renal system.
- Disorders in the respiratory system.
- Skeletal dysplasia, achondroplasia and dwarfism.
- Fetal anemia. This is due to a small Rh incompatibility or an infection. The main treatment for these diseases requires intrauterine blood transfusion.
In most cases, these changes are detected with special tests and polyhydramnios exams. However, in large fetuses, it is very common to see large amounts of amniotic fluid.
multiple pregnancy
The risks of excess amniotic fluid increase in pregnancies with identical and fraternal twins. This danger increases when intertwin transfusion syndrome occurs.
In this condition, one of the fetuses produces more blood than the other, and, due to the blood connections, a hemodynamic instability is generated.
Symptoms of Excess Amniotic Fluid During Pregnancy
Importantly, symptoms can vary from woman to woman, and many do not even show signs. Symptoms may increase according to the severity of the case. Symptoms of excess amniotic fluid can be:
- Precipitous growth of the uterus, which may cause difficulty breathing.
- Acute abdominal discomfort.
- Contractions of the uterus.
However, you should be aware that many of these symptoms can be confused with other pathologies. For this reason, the physician must be consulted immediately for a correct and timely diagnosis.
Risks of having excess amniotic fluid
Basically, the risks can come from the symptoms that the mother presents. In addition, a complication can lead to premature birth, placental abruption, rupture of membranes or problems with the umbilical cord, among others.
The risks to the baby involve restricted fetal growth, caesarean delivery, and sometimes death.
Treatment, in most cases, aims to treat the cause and alleviate the mother’s discomfort.
In summary, having too much amniotic fluid during pregnancy can lead to serious complications. However, frequent monitoring can reduce your chances of suffering from this condition and increase your chances of a successful pregnancy.
