Oligohydramnios refers to the condition in which there is a deficiency in the amount of amniotic fluid (room for the baby to move, wiggle, and kick during development) surrounding the baby. Pregnant women are often diagnosed with this condition and recommended early delivery. Congenital anomalies are found in approximately 50% of patients detected with oligohydramnios during their second trimester.
Though oligohydramnios often poses complications to you and your unborn child, it can be treated under some circumstances. Treatment of oligohydramnios depends on how low the amniotic fluid level is and in which trimester you are right now.
If you or your loved one is feeling that the fetus is not moving enough or is leaking fluid from your vagina, you should visit a specialist doctor for a check-up. Moreover, investigating oligohydramnios causes are necessary to prevent this issue. Take a look at them in detail
Oligohydramnios Causes
Oligohydramnios indicates low amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus during pregnancy. Through ultrasounds, doctors diagnose this concern that can cause complications at the time of labor and delivery, affecting fetal development. There are some possible reasons behind this issue:
Underperforming Placenta
The placenta exchanges nutrients and waste between the mother and fetus. If its function becomes inadequate, the fetus may not receive enough oxygen and nutrients. As a result, oligohydramnios occurs.
Amniotic Fluid Leakage
If any rupture happens in the amniotic sac, it can result in reduced fluid levels. Due to trauma, such as from a car accident or any other spontaneous reason, this condition prevails in pregnancy.
Occurrence of Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is caused by high blood pressure and protein in the urine of pregnant women. It disrupts the functioning of the placenta, resulting in oligohydramnios.
Fetal Congenital Defects
Some particular conditions, like renal agenesis (a congenital disability of underperforming kidneys) or Potter’s syndrome (underdeveloped lungs), affect the fetus. It can cause oligohydramnios, leading to miscarriage or stillbirth.
Apart from these causes, diabetes, hypertension, and having twins or triplets may also develop the oligohydramnios condition.
Complications of Oligohydramnios
If you or someone you know has a low amniotic fluid level during the first six months of pregnancy, it can be deadly for you and your unborn baby. These complications include:
- Underdevelopment of the lung tissue or deformities to the fetus’s limbs due to the compression of the uterus
- Preterm birth
- Low birth weight
- Stillbirth
- Infection resulting from an early water break
Whether you are diagnosed with oligohydramnios in your last trimester of pregnancy, complications could include the following:
- Umbilical cord compression (nutrients and oxygen can’t reach the fetus because of a squeezy umbilical cord)
- Intrauterine growth restriction (estimated fetal weight is below the 10th percentile for its gestational age)
- Enhanced risk of C-section delivery
- Fear of early deliveryÂ
- More likelihood of infections
Diagnosis Procedures of Oligohydramnios
Ultrasound is necessary to detect oligohydramnios. So, gynecologists recommend measuring the amount of amniotic fluid in your uterus. As a pregnant woman, you need to do this imaging test a few times during your pregnancy. Through ultrasound, if it is found that the amount of fluid is less than it should be for the gestational age of the fetus, you may have oligohydramnios.
Amniotic fluid index (AFI) and maximum vertical pocket (MVP) are two ways to estimate the amount of amniotic fluid.
- Amniotic fluid index (AFI)
It involves dividing your uterus into four sections. It computes the deepest pocket in each section. To get the AFI, you need to add four measurements together. Normal AFI is greater than 5 cm.
- Maximum vertical pocket (MVP)Â
It measures the single deepest pocket of amniotic fluid. If the MVP is 2 cm or less, it will be considered oligohydramnios.
Your pregnancy care provider will do a pelvic examination to find out the signs of pooled amniotic fluid in the vagina. It will show if your amniotic sac is leaking. Your doctor will test a swab of that fluid to check the chemicals present only in amniotic fluid. If these tests give positive results, then it indicates your baby’s bag of water has broken.
Treatment of Oligohydramnios during Pregnancy
Based on the oligohydramnios causes, your gynecologist treats this condition. In this case, close monitoring of the mother and the unborn baby is important. Sometimes, doctors find no cause behind the development of oligohydramnios.
But if there are any pregnancy complications, such as concern for ruptured membranes, or if the fluid is persistently low, you will require an urgent hospital visit. When you are near the full term (37 weeks of pregnancy), inducing labour is the safest option your health care provider suggests for your baby.
Sometimes, early delivery is recommended to prevent stillbirth or fetal distress. In this case, you need to be admitted to the hospital so that doctors can closely monitor your condition if you have developed any signs of preterm delivery. In many cases, a gynecologist prescribes medicines to increase the level of amniotic fluid.
Due to oligohydramnios, your fetus may have developed concerns like inadequate lung development, an anatomic problem with the baby’s kidneys, bladder, or urethra, and other congenital disabilities. Then, prenatal intervention is necessary. Your gynecologist will seek help from a neonatologist and palliative care specialists to provide expert treatment for your baby during and after delivery.
Why Should You Choose SilverStreak Hospital for Oligohydramnios Treatment?
As a leading gynecological hospital in Gurgaon, SilverStreak Multispecialty Hospital has extended its maternity wing to provide expert diagnosis and care for pregnant women. With advanced technology and clinical expertise, we treat every complication during and after pregnancy, including oligohydramnios.
Our gynecology specialist, Dr. Swapnil Agrahari, is committed to offering personal care and empathy while treating patients. Her evidence-based treatment procedures and unwavering support ensure your or your loved one’s comfort and safety throughout the process. Her timely interventions and pre-pregnancy counseling help patients deal with their issues with ease.
Therefore, choosing our hospital will make you confident and stress-free during the crucial time period of pregnancy. Contact us today!
Conclusion
Unfortunately, there is no preventive measure for oligohydramnios. Besides, finding oligohydramnios causes is also difficult. So, it is important to attend routine checkups with your gynecologist and perform the required diagnostic tests.
It will be the most fruitful way to fight against this condition. If you are at risk of oligohydramnios, you should go for the right treatment immediately for the good of your unborn baby and yourself.
FAQs
According to some studies, drinking water can help increase amniotic fluid levels in pregnant women. It is not proven, though. Gynecologists often recommend it to maintain the standard level of amniotic fluid.
Yes, a baby can be born healthy despite oligohydramnios. It is a serious issue during pregnancy. But in most cases, babies survive and do well after birth if it is treated properly and on time.
Oligohydramnios can happen at any time during pregnancy. But it mostly appears in the last trimester of pregnancy. For people who are at least 2 weeks past their due dates, the risk of having oligohydramnios increases. So, the amount of amniotic fluid decreases by that time.
- Leaking amniotic fluid from your vaginaÂ
- Vaginal bleeding
- Feeling less movement of the fetus
- Pelvic pain or cramps
- Contractions.
Oligohydramnios is associated with an enhanced risk of certain maternal and fetal complications. An ultrasound is necessary to detect potential abnormalities resulting in this condition. But the right treatment at the right time can save the lives of the mother and the unborn child.
