The increase in the amount of aminobic fluid, also known as polyhydramnios, is in most cases related to the infant's inability to absorb and swallow the liquid in normal amounts. However, the increase in amniotic fluid may also occur due to other problems that promote the exaggerated increase in production of the amynotic fluid.
Thus, the main causes of increased amniotic fluid include:
- Gestational Diabetes: Increasing the amount of blood sugar in the pregnant woman causes the baby to produce more urine by increasing the amount of amniotic fluid;
- Gastrointestinal problems in the baby: may decrease the baby's ability to absorb amniotic fluid, and in these cases, it may be necessary to have surgery after birth to treat the problem in the baby;
- Abnormal growth of blood vessels in the placenta: it promotes an exaggerated production of amniotic fluid;
- Infections in pregnant or infants such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis or syphilis;
- Chromosomal diseases such as Down Syndrome or Edwards Syndrome.
Regardless of the cause, increasing the amount of amniotic fluid does not mean that the baby will be born with some malformation or illness, because in most cases, the baby is born completely healthy.
Diagnosis of increased amniotic fluid
When the amniotic fluid value is increased in the ultrasound result, the obstetrician usually asks for other diagnostic tests, such as more detailed ultrasound, amniocentesis, or glucose test to assess whether the pregnant woman or the baby has any disease that may be increasing the amount of amniotic fluid.
How is the treatment of increased amniotic fluid
Treatment for increased aminobic fluid is usually not necessary, and it is recommended to have regular visits to the obstetrician to assess the amount of amniotic fluid. However, when the problem is caused by a disease, such as gestational diabetes, your doctor may recommend you to treat this problem in order to control the production of amniotic fluid. Find out how the treatment is in: Gestational diabetes.
In the more severe cases, where increased amniotic fluid is causing labor or symptoms such as difficulty breathing and abdominal pain, the obstetrician may recommend withdrawing a portion of the fluid with a needle or using medicines, such as Indomethacin, which help decrease the production of urine by the baby and consequently decrease the amount of amniotic fluid.
Consequences of increased amniotic fluid
The main consequences of an increased amniotic fluid pregnancy include:
- Premature labor due to premature rupture of the water bag;
- Excessive growth and fetal development;
- Placental abruption;
- Cesarean delivery.
Generally, the earlier an amniotic fluid builds up during pregnancy and the more serious the problem, the greater the risk of developing consequences.
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