2/24/2023 0 Comments Excess amniotic fluid![]() Problems may arise from the baby, the mother or the placenta. In around 60 percent of cases there is no known reason as to why the condition has developed. It is difficult to ascertain the cause of polyhydramnios. The greater the figure, the more severe the condition is. You have polyhydramnios if your AFI is over 24cm. By measuring the fluid in four areas of the amniotic sac, the sonographer can work out your amniotic fluid index (AFI). An ultrasound scan can confirm polyhydramnios. It may be difficult for them to hear your baby's heartbeat or feel the baby as there is so much fluid around the baby. The midwife or doctor will detect during an examination that you are large for your dates. Other symptoms to watch out for are intense heartburn, constipation, abdominal pain, varicose veins and swollen legs. Climbing the stairs may become difficult as you develop the feeling of breathlessness. You may notice that your tummy is increasing in size too quickly and your skin is shiny and stretched looking. Polyhydramnios is most likely to occur from the 30th week of pregnancy onwards. In severe cases this might treble to around three litres of fluid. If this delicate balance is upset in any way, the volume of amniotic fluid may increase suddenly and quickly. The baby is therefore controlling the amount of amniotic fluid that exists around him or her. Babies in the womb regularly swallow the amniotic fluid and pass it out of their bodies as urine. ![]() As you progress to term and 40 weeks, the amount decreases to around 800ml. At this point there is approximately one litre of amniotic fluid present. The amniotic fluid volume increases steadily throughout pregnancy reaching its peak at around 36 weeks. This fluid protects and cushions the baby against any unwanted knocks or bumps to your tummy, as well as helping the baby's lungs to mature whilst protecting the baby against infections. Your baby is surrounded by amniotic fluid which is encased in the amniotic sac within the uterine walls. On the opposite end of the scale is the condition called oligohydramnios, which is having too little amniotic fluid present in the uterus. It is a rare condition occurring in only one percent of UK pregnancies. Polyhydramnios is the medical word for having an excessive amount of amniotic fluid in the womb. ![]()
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