Excess Amniotic Fluid During Pregnancy

It is estimated that 2% of pregnant women have an excess of amniotic fluid. The condition has been named “polyhydramnios” . In short, it is a change in amniotic fluid that can occur during all stages of pregnancy. The condition can lead to complications that can endanger the child’s life.

In this article, we will take a closer look at what it is, how to diagnose it and possible causes of it.

What does polyhydramnios mean?

It is an increase in the amount of fluid present in the amniotic sac. A normal amount of this fluid protects the baby, who uses the amniotic fluid to swallow and inhale until the second trimester of pregnancy.

These fetal activities enable the development of the fetus’ lungs and digestive system. An increase in fluid indicates a defect in one of the regulatory mechanisms or in the fetus.

This can be diagnosed by ultrasound because it makes it possible for doctors to determine a so-called amniotic fluid index. This is done by calculating the depth of the fluid in four different parts of the uterus and then obtaining an index of the results obtained.

If you have a depth greater than 24 centimeters, you can safely say that the pregnant woman suffers from polyhydramnios.

What is the normal amount of amniotic fluid?

The amount of amniotic fluid can vary in each woman and increases as the pregnancy progresses. But its highest point occurs towards the 32nd week of pregnancy. Thereafter, the volume remains stable until the 36th week.

As of this week, the volume begins to decline, but it never disappears. The volume can amount to approximately 800 ml to 1 liter.

Causes of excess amniotic fluid

In most cases, the causes of the condition are unknown. However, some doctors believe that it is due to an excessive production of fluid or problems with absorbing it. Other probable causes are:

Gestational diabetes

There is a small increased risk of this condition for women with diabetes or an inability to control blood sugar levels.

Abnormalities in the fetus

Another cause of excess amniotic fluid is malformations in the fetus. Improper development of the esophagus, pancreas, duodenum and even the nervous system increases the risk of developing polyhydramnios.

Other fetal changes include:

• Defects in the closure of the neural tube.

• Water skull, holoprosencephaly or microcephaly, among others.
• Heart diseases such as heart valve malformations and arrhythmias, among others.
• Deviations in the renal system.
• Respiratory disorders.
• Skeletal dysplasia, achondroplasia and dwarfism.
• Fetal anemia, which is due to an incompatibility with the baby’s Rh factor or an infection. The main treatment for this involves a transfusion of blood into the uterus.

In most cases, doctors can detect these changes with tests and special studies that are done when an excess of amniotic fluid has been observed. However, it is very common to see large amounts of amniotic fluid in larger fetuses.

Twin and triplet pregnancies

Women who are pregnant with twins have a greater risk of getting too much amniotic fluid. The risk increases when twin transfusion syndrome occurs.

This occurs when 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

It is important to note that the symptoms may vary from woman to woman. In fact, many women do not even show any signs at all. Depending on the severity of the condition, the symptoms may also increase. These can be:

• An outgrowth on the uterus, which can cause difficulty breathing.
• Acute discomfort in the abdomen.
• Contractions and pain in the uterus.

It is best to pay attention as many of these symptoms can be confused with other pathologies. It is therefore important to go to a doctor as soon as possible to get the correct diagnosis in time.

Risks with an excess of amniotic fluid

The risks are often in proportion to the symptoms that the woman shows. A complication can lead to premature birth, placental abruption, rupture of membranes and premature ejaculation, umbilical cord problems, among others.

The risks for the baby are low fetal growth, caesarean section and sometimes death.

The treatment in most cases aims to treat the cause and relieve the mother’s problems.

Excess amniotic fluid can have serious complications during pregnancy. However, close monitoring can reduce the risk of being affected and increase the chance that the pregnancy will be successful.