![]() When oligohydramnios occurs earlier in pregnancy it can be more problematic and potentially dangerous for the baby. The condition is much more common in the final trimester but it does occur much earlier in some cases. Low amniotic fluid levels occur in about 8% of pregnancies but oligohydramnios is only diagnosed in about 4 out of every 100 pregnancies. ![]() Total fluid volume below 500 ml after week 32 is also considered oligohydramnios. A diagnosis of oligohydramnios is made if there is no visible fluid 2-3 cm fluid pocket or AFI indicates fluid levels of less than 5 cm. Sonogram and ultrasound imaging allows amniotic fluid levels to be accurately measured during pregnancy with several different methods including measuring the depth of fluid pockets or through the amniotic fluid index (AFI). If the volume of amniotic fluid drops below minimum levels at any point during the pregnancy the condition is diagnosed as oligohydramnios. However, the volume of amniotic fluid should stay above certain minimum levels throughout the pregnancy. Levels of amniotic fluid vary somewhat depending on the mother, fetal weight, and stage of gestation. By around week 20 amniotic fluid is less water and more fetal urine. Once swallowed the amniotic fluid is "digested" by the baby's developing gastrointestinal system and the byproducts are regularly eliminated in fetal urine. The baby begins to inhale and swallow the amniotic fluid and which helps develop the lungs and digestive system. It also enables the baby to move around inside the womb which is important to early muscle and nerve development.Īs the pregnancy progresses the amniotic fluid takes on a different composition and serves additional functions. It fills the womb and surrounds the baby during pregnancy serving as a cushion and insulation. In the early stages of pregnancy amniotic fluid is composed primarily of water. About OligohydramniosĪmniotic fluid is a critical component of pregnancy and fetal development. Amniotic fluid plays part in gestation and oligohydramnios can lead to major problems and complications that can result in birth defects and even miscarriages. Oligohydramnios is the medical term for a condition occurring in some pregnancies in which the amount of amniotic fluid in the womb is too low.
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