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Did Your Newborn Suffer Cerebral
Palsy or Another Brain Injury Before
or During Labor and Delivery?
Get a FREE guide of resources available throughout Ohio to children and families of children who were born with brain injuries.
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now and in the future.
The term oligohydramnios can be frightening to an expectant mother even if they have no idea what it means. This long, complicated-sounding word may appear foreboding, and for good reason. This is a condition which can have serious consequences.
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The simple answer is that it means low amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is the lifeline for an unborn infant. It is first produced after the amniotic sac, which will hold the baby is formed. This process occurs about two weeks after conception. It protects the baby by acting as a cushion, and it helps the lungs, digestive system, muscles and arms and legs to develop.
During the second trimester, the baby will begin breathing and swallowing this fluid. The doctor will measure the amount of amniotic fluid to determine if it’s too high or too low. If it is less than five centimeters at 32-36 weeks, they will diagnose the woman with oligohydramnios, which affects about four percent of pregnant women. It can occur at any time, but it most often happens during the third trimester.
Several factors can cause a low amount of amniotic fluid to be present. They include the following:
Health issues with the mother can lead to this condition as well, such as dehydration or hypertension. Diabetes, preeclampsia and chronic hypoxia can impact the level of amniotic fluid. Patients with these diagnoses will likely be monitored even more closely.
How serious the issue of low amniotic fluid is depends on when it’s diagnosed. If it happens during the first half of the pregnancy, it can cause more damage. There is an increased risk for miscarriage or stillbirth. The organs of the baby could become compressed, which may lead to birth defects.
When it happens in the second half of the pregnancy, it can create unique issues, such as complications during labor. It can also lead to preterm birth for the safety of the baby. Another concern is intrauterine growth restriction. Basically, this just means the fetus isn’t developing in size at the expected rate. This is a dangerous situation because it not only affects the body and head of the fetus, but it could mean the organs are also smaller than normal.
The doctor may try to add fluid through several different options. They may use amniocentesis or IV fluids to the mother. These options are often only temporary fixes, but it can bring the baby closer to term. If the baby is close enough to term when diagnosis is made, delivery is often the treatment of choice. Doctors will monitor the baby’s activity and growth to ensure they are still healthy if amniotic fluids are low.
A woman may not be able to prevent this condition, but it can help if she maintains a healthy weight, gets plenty of nutrition and stays hydrated and attends all prenatal visits.
The simple answer is that it means low amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is the lifeline for an unborn infant. It is first produced after the amniotic sac, which will hold the baby is formed. This process occurs about two weeks after conception. It protects the baby by acting as a cushion, and it helps the lungs, digestive system, muscles and arms and legs to develop.
During the second trimester, the baby will begin breathing and swallowing this fluid. The doctor will measure the amount of amniotic fluid to determine if it’s too high or too low. If it is less than five centimeters at 32-36 weeks, they will diagnose the woman with oligohydramnios, which affects about four percent of pregnant women. It can occur at any time, but it most often happens during the third trimester.
Several factors can cause a low amount of amniotic fluid to be present. They include the following:
Health issues with the mother can lead to this condition as well, such as dehydration or hypertension. Diabetes, preeclampsia and chronic hypoxia can impact the level of amniotic fluid. Patients with these diagnoses will likely be monitored even more closely.
How serious the issue of low amniotic fluid is depends on when it’s diagnosed. If it happens during the first half of the pregnancy, it can cause more damage. There is an increased risk for miscarriage or stillbirth. The organs of the baby could become compressed, which may lead to birth defects.
When it happens in the second half of the pregnancy, it can create unique issues, such as complications during labor. It can also lead to preterm birth for the safety of the baby. Another concern is intrauterine growth restriction. Basically, this just means the fetus isn’t developing in size at the expected rate. This is a dangerous situation because it not only affects the body and head of the fetus, but it could mean the organs are also smaller than normal.
The doctor may try to add fluid through several different options. They may use amniocentesis or IV fluids to the mother. These options are often only temporary fixes, but it can bring the baby closer to term. If the baby is close enough to term when diagnosis is made, delivery is often the treatment of choice. Doctors will monitor the baby’s activity and growth to ensure they are still healthy if amniotic fluids are low.
A woman may not be able to prevent this condition, but it can help if she maintains a healthy weight, gets plenty of nutrition and stays hydrated and attends all prenatal visits.