What happens when amniotic fluid is low?

If there are very low levels of amniotic fluid for your baby to float around in, there is a slight risk of intrauterine growth restriction and umbilical cord constriction during birth. You may also be more likely to have a C-section.

Can you increase your amniotic fluid by drinking more water?

1. Drink more fluids. Anytime during your pregnancy, drinking a lot of water can make a huge difference. According to one study , hydration is very helpful for upping amniotic fluid levels in women between 37 and 41 weeks of pregnancy.

How do you fix low amniotic fluid?

A doctor may treat low levels of amniotic fluid with a process called amnioinfusion. For this treatment, the doctor will introduce a saline solution via the cervix into the amniotic sac to increase fluid levels.

What are some reasons for low amniotic fluid?

Some of the main causes for low amniotic fluid during pregnancy includes breakage of water bag, problems in the placenta, certain medication, complications with identical twins health issues with the baby and chronic hypoxia to name a few.

What are the complications of low amniotic fluid?

Low levels of amniotic fluid can lead to pregnancy complications and birth injuries, including: miscarriage, pre-term labor, birth defects, brain trauma, and cord compression. Oligohydramnios, the medical term for having too little amniotic fluid in the womb, occurs in approximately 8% of pregnancies and is most common during the third trimester.

What does low amniotic fluid really mean?

Low amniotic fluid means that there is too little fluid around your baby in the uterus during pregnancy. The medical term for this problem is oligohydramnios.

What causes high amniotic fluid levels?

Various conditions can cause high amniotic fluid levels, such as the following: Congenital Defects: Usually higher levels of fluid mean an increase in the chance of a congenital defect. The build up occurs because the defect restricts swallowing which leads to a build up of amniotic fluid.