![]() ![]() This can be a sign that there is a problem with the heart or kidneys or that there is some form of chromosomal abnormality with the baby. Low amniotic fluid can be caused by your baby not passing enough urine. If you are not induced you will be monitored until labour begins naturally. Depending on your gestational stage of pregnancy you may need to be induced for labour. Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed to ward off infection. You are at risk of infection if your waters break early and you do not then proceed into labour. If you are unsure if your waters have broken or not call the doctor or midwife immediately. Your amniotic sac may break, allowing a large rush of fluid to escape at once, or it may just tear slightly resulting in a slow leakage of fluid. This is sometimes wrongly thought to be an accidental urine leak. While sometimes there is a big gush of fluid when your waters break, you may find that all you have is a slow leak. You are most likely to be monitored regularly if you suffer from any of these conditions to ensure your baby's development is on track and that amniotic fluid levels are sufficient. If your placenta does not function efficiently, it can affect your baby's growth. Conditions include high blood pressure, lupus, diabetes and pre-eclampsia. There are many conditions that may cause your placenta to stop supplying enough nutrients and blood to your baby. There are numerous clinical reasons as to why you may have developed low amniotic fluid levels, but the most common causes are: Less than two centimetres deep is considered low. Measuring the deepest vertical pocket of fluid gives another measurement which can be compared to the norm. These are then compared to normal levels which have been determined for each gestational week. By combining the four measurements they can score you on the amniotic fluid index (AFI). During an ultrasound the sonographer can check your fluid volume by measuring the depth of the pockets of amniotic fluid in four divided sections of the womb. If you have already had a particularly small baby or one with a low birth weight, or you have blood pressure problems, lupus or a specific medical condition, your amniotic levels will be routinely checked. Your midwife should pick this up when she either measures your bump or during an ultrasound. ![]() Low amniotic levels may be suspected if your baby seems to be smaller than expected for its gestational age. If there is too much amniotic fluid it is called polyhydramnios. If there is not enough amniotic fluid surrounding the baby, it is known as oligohydramnios. Fluid secreted by the baby's respiratory tract is also a contributing factor. During the second half of pregnancy, the excretion of the baby's urine becomes a major source of the amniotic fluid production. The volume decreases towards term, with an average of about 800ml at 40 weeks. It peaks at 34-36 weeks of gestation with about 1 litre of fluid. At 10 weeks gestation the volume is about 30ml. The volume of fluid increases as your pregnancy progresses. The levels rise and fall as the baby routinely swallows amniotic fluid and then passes it out of their body as urine. The amount of fluid contained in the amniotic sac changes throughout the day. It also works to protect your baby against any infections and it helps with the maturation of your baby's digestive system and lungs. The purpose of the amniotic fluid is to protect your baby against bumps and squashes. This is also known as your waters breaking. ![]() When the baby is ready to be born, these membranes break open and out flows the fluid. These membranes ensure your baby is contained within the amniotic fluid throughout your pregnancy. This is the amniotic sac and it consists of two membranes, the amnion and the chorion. ![]() Amniotic fluidÄuring pregnancy, the uterus holds a fluid filled sac in which the baby develops. The amount of amniotic fluid alters week by week and can be compared to the norms at any stage of pregnancy. Measured by the amniotic fluid index (AFI), oligohydramnios is diagnosed as having less than the fifth percentile of fluid for your gestational age. This is where there is too much amniotic fluid present in the womb. The opposite condition is called polyhydramnios. Oligohydramnios is better known as having low amniotic fluid. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |