Polyhydramnios Or An Increased Amount Of Amniotic Fluid

Polyhydramnios, better known as an increased amount of amniotic fluid, is an accumulation of the fluid that surrounds the baby during pregnancy. This fluid provides the fetus with all the necessary nutrients for its development.

However, when there is too much amniotic fluid, it can lead to problems for both the mother and the fetus.

What causes polyhydramnios?

Although specialists are not always able to find out why it occurs in some women, there are, according to research, certain circumstances that lead to a higher risk of polyhydramnios. These include the following:

• Multiple pregnancies. This can cause one fetus to have more amniotic fluid than the other.
• Diabetes in the mother.
• Big babies.
• Neurological problems in the fetus, such as hydrocephalus, which can lead to difficulty swallowing.
• Large babies.
• Low heart rate in the fetus. 

• Malformations of the fetus, which can cause problems with swallowing, and, as a result, low amount of fluid in the uterus.
• Incompatible blood types between mother and baby.

Signs and symptoms

Women suffering from polyhydramnios often show no symptoms. Especially if the condition is mild. However, if the condition becomes severe, the following symptoms may occur:

• Problems breathing
• Stomach pain
• Inflammation of the abdominal wall or the lower extremities
• Contractions in the uterus
• Vomiting
• A more shiny or firm stomach,  more than usual during the relevant stage of pregnancy.

How can polyhydramnios be diagnosed?

The best way for a pregnant woman to know if she is suffering from polyhydramnios is through an ultrasound scan, performed by a specialist.

This will give an estimate of the  frog water index that should not be greater than 25 centimeters during the third trimester. If it is larger, this indicates an excess of fluid, which may cause injury. 

After performing a complete ultrasound scan for malformations in the fetus,  the doctor should be able to identify if the excess amniotic fluid is due to genetic factors. This is done by examining whether there is a family history for it. 

The doctor may also perform some glucose tolerance tests, as well as tests for hemorrhage, anemia and serological tests in the mother.

Risk factors

There are serious risk factors that can increase problems during pregnancy, due to polyhydramnios. This is why  it is important for mothers to go to all the scheduled checkups with their doctor during pregnancy. 

These are the possible results:

• Postpartum hemorrhage. Severe blood loss after childbirth.
• Fetal death. Polyhydramnios can cause the baby to die after week 20 of pregnancy.
• Premature birth. This occurs when the baby is born before week 37 of pregnancy.
• Loose placenta. This detachment is considered serious because the baby no longer receives oxygen and nutrients from the uterus. This can lead to severe bleeding.
• Poor position of the fetus. Usually, the fetus lies upside down, facing the mother’s spine. However, in the case of polyhydramnios, this position can be affected. The safest solution, in this case, is a caesarean section.

What is the treatment of polyhydramnios?

If the condition is mild, no treatment is necessary. However, when a doctor indicates that the case is serious, it is crucial to act quickly.

Some of the most effective treatments include:  manual reduction of amniotic fluid, medication to reduce the baby’s urination, or, in cases where the term is approaching, initiation of labor. 

Likewise, it is a good idea to start with prenatal monitoring in week 32, via a complete test. During the test, it is important to remain calm so that the test results are accurate and are not affected. Furthermore, if the mother has diabetes, blood sugar should be monitored to avoid fetal death.

Pregnancy without complications

It is impossible to avoid polyhydramnios as it occurs without a warning, either due to an anomaly, heredity or unknown causes. 

Therefore, it is important that expectant mothers take care, during any stage of pregnancy, to reduce the risks of this condition, for both the baby and their own overall health.

Healthy habits, abstinence from nicotine and good nutrition will help mothers maintain a healthy weight. It reduces the risk of diabetes and it provides vitamins that are important for the proper development of the fetus.