Everything You Need To Know About Oligohydramnios (Low Amniotic Fluid) During Pregnancy 

The amniotic fluid is a watery cushion that surrounds your baby in the womb during pregnancy. It provides space for your baby to grow in the uterus and prevents the umbilical cord from being compressed. At about 36 weeks of pregnancy, your amniotic fluid slowly decreases until your little one’s birth. While the level of amniotic fluid can vary from one person to another, too much or too little of it can indicate certain pregnancy conditions.

Excess amniotic fluid can cause a condition called polyhydramnios, and too little of it cause oligohydramnios. In this post, we discuss everything you need to know about too little amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios), its possible causes, symptoms, and treatment methods.

What is Oligohydramnios?

Oligohydramnios is a pregnancy condition, where the amniotic fluid surrounding your baby is considered too low compared to the normal level of a particular gestational age. 

Typically, the normal level of amniotic fluid should range between 500-1000 ml. However, if this volume is recorded much lower than this, then there could be certain complications in your pregnancy.

What Causes Oligohydramnios During Pregnancy?

Low amniotic fluid can occur as a result of your water breaking, due to a rupture in your amniotic sac, or a spontaneous fluid leak, which is so small, that it goes unnoticed. In rare cases, oligohydramnios is also linked to the following factors.

• Problems with your baby’s urinary tract or kidneys
• Placental abruption (early separation of the placenta from the uterine wall)
• Poor fetal growth
• Certain medications, including those prescribed for managing high blood pressure
• Gestational diabetes
• Premature rupture of membranes
• Congenital abnormalities or birth defects

Symptoms of Low Amniotic Fluid During Pregnancy

The major symptoms of low amniotic fluid aren’t noticeable, and that’s why you shouldn’t miss your routine prenatal checkups, where your doctor can identify this condition based on your symptoms. The possible symptoms of oligohydramnios include:

• Low weight gain during pregnancy
• Your uterus measures smaller than anticipated
• Your baby’s heart rate drops down for several seconds before returning to normal
• Significant decrease in fetal activity
• A decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid detected during ultrasound
• Fluid leaking from your vagina

When Does Oligohydramnios Occur and Who Is at Risk?

Low amniotic fluid or oligohydramnios usually occurs in the latter part of your pregnancy, especially during the third trimester. In some cases, it can also develop this condition earlier during pregnancy. 

Women whose due dates have already passed are at a higher risk of experiencing oligohydramnios. For proper diagnosis and management of this condition, make sure you are visiting your healthcare provider regularly and getting ultrasounds to monitor your baby’s health. 

Does Low Amniotic Fluid Have Any Effect on Your Baby?

Most women diagnosed with this condition have a completely normal delivery and a healthy baby. However, if there is very little amniotic fluid for your baby to float around, then there is a slight risk of umbilical cord constriction and intrauterine growth restriction during delivery. To avoid these conditions, your doctor might recommend a c-section instead of a vaginal delivery.

Diagnosis of Oligohydramnios

Your healthcare provider can diagnose this condition by monitoring your symptoms. They might also suggest an ultrasound to confirm this condition. The ultrasound can also help detect the exact level of your amniotic fluid, and whether it has affected your baby’s growth and development.

Treatment of Oligohydramnios

In case you are diagnosed with oligohydramnios, you can take a few steps to boost your amniotic fluid levels in the short term. However, keep in mind that these remedies may not be as effective for raising your amniotic fluid volume in the long term. Your doctor might recommend:

• Getting lots of rest and involving in fewer physical activities
• Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day
• Close monitoring of your amniotic fluid levels through tests like biophysical profile and non-stress testing
• An early delivery in case your amniotic level drops too low, putting your baby’s health at risk
• Transfusing saline solution into your uterine cavity to replace lost levels of amniotic fluid, a process known as amnioinfusion.
• Fetal surgery if the low amniotic fluid is linked to a defect in your baby’s kidneys or urinary tract.

Can You Prevent Oligohydramnios During Pregnancy?

While there’s no known way to prevent oligohydramnios during pregnancy, it’s important to discuss it with your doctor and manage conditions that increase the risk of developing low amniotic fluid, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. 

Moreover, routine checkups with your doctor can help closely monitor your amniotic fluid level, and diagnose this cognition at an earlier stage, preventing the risk of further pregnancy complications. So ensure that you are keeping up with your scheduled prenatal visits and taking the medications prescribed by your doctor without fail.

Conclusion

Low amniotic fluid or oligohydramnios is a concern that usually occurs at the final stages of your pregnancy. Since the symptoms of this condition are difficult to determine, consider routine ultrasounds to closely monitor your amniotic fluid level and the health of your baby. In case your amniotic fluid levels drop, your healthcare provider might recommend an early delivery to prevent further risks to your and your baby’s health.

Also read:

Pregnancy symptoms: Learn all about the common signs and symptoms of pregnancy experienced in the earlier stages.

Ovulation: Does your ovulation cycle play an important role in conception? Find out all the details here.

Ovulation calculator: Wondering when are your most fertile days next month? Use this calculator to check. 

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