Amniotic Fluid:Oligohydramnios

What causes low levels of amniotic fluid during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, amniotic fluid is produced first by the mother's body and later by the baby's urine to provide a warm and safe environment for the developing baby. When the fluid levels are too low, this is referred to as oligohydramnios. This condition can occur at any point during the pregnancy.

Doctors monitor the amount of amniotic fluid that is present in the uterus during pregnancy. Doctors may become suspicious of low fluid levels if you are measuring small for your date of pregnancy, if the baby is not as active as he should be or if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or lupus. Ultrasound examinations will reveal low levels of fluid surrounding the fetus. Any measurement less than 5 cm is considred low. Approximately 8% of pregnant women have low levels of fluid and only 4% are actually diagnosed with oligohydramnios. If your amniotic fluids are measuring low, you will be closely monitored by your healthcare provider. Stress and non-stress tests will be routinely offered and recommended to monitor your baby's condition. Some doctors will inject fluid into the uterus via amniocentesis and other doctors prefer to have the mother drink an abundance of water or receive IV fluids to increase the fluid levels.

Oligohyramnios can be caused by a variety of factors. The amniotic fluid levels will decrease as the mother passes her due date and will decrease significantly by the time she is 42 weeks pregnant. This is because the placenta deteriorates as the pregnancy goes overdue and placental problems can cause low levels of amniotic fluid. If a mother's water has broken or is leaking, the amniotic fluid levels will definitely be low. Birth defects that affect the baby's kidneys and urinary tract can cause oligohydramnios, because there is little urine being produced by the fetus. A mother that is carrying twins, triplets or higher is at greater risk of developing oligohydramnios during the pregnancy.

Because amniotic fluid is critical in the fetus' development, low levels can be dangerous for the baby. Low amniotic fluid levels can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects, growth restrictions and preterm labor.

Comments: Amniotic Fluid - Oligohydramnios

Comments 1 to 7 of about 7.

hayes2010 - 51 days ago.
Please i need a response . I'm am 17w now and i have no amniotic fluids around the baby plus my placenta is not where its suppose to be something like placenta previa but its not covering my cervix its on top of it . I'm just confused and it seem like the doctors are given me 1 option and that's sayin its not gonna live what should i do I've beeen drinkn lots and lots of water and cranberry juice what should i do? Plz respond i need some answers from those who has had this happen before :(

lynic - 116 days ago.
a friend of mine had this and lost her baby at 16 weeks. i am now 13 weeks and any discharge or 'wetness' scares me, thinking i could have it too. what is the symptoms? cramping, type of smell? pls help

mommy-luvsyou - 119 days ago.
I just bumped into this forum. I didn't know it ws on this website. Well I see that no one has posted in while but I will still share my story, hoping someone can relate. My water broke when i was 17wks, im currently 21wks now. My fluid level is extremely low but thank God i can still feel my baby move. I go to the dr 2x a week and take my temp 2x a day. I was prescribed antibiotics a few weeks ago to prevent infection. I will be admitted in 3wks and will be in the hospital until i deliver him at 34wks.

jzbebegyrl - 234 days ago.
I went to my U/S yesterday and the doctors are making me drink a gallon of water a day and lots of rest! I am at 22 weeks and 5 days. Has anyone else experienced this? At this early stage I mean? I am pretty freaked out about it. My baby moves all the time so Im not worried about movement just yet, but I still have alot of concerns! Thank you in advance!

thencamebaby - 271 days ago.
Yes I did. My ob said it was because I was given indocin twice to stop premature labour. My amnio fluid levels were really low. I had my baby at 36 weeks, she's healthy.

Diane-taketwo - 271 days ago.
I did, the last two weeks of pregnancy, and one of the reasons I was c-sectioned at 36 weeks. Docs may need to keep a close eye on your fluid levels to make sure babe has enough room to grow and practice breathing. Just take it easy :)

sccrj17 - 271 days ago.
do any of u have this?