(Note the date above...this was drafted for 30 days because it's just a silly cut and paste job...)
This period of time marks the period of bed rest and heavy reading for me. I'm following up on this past a month later, able now to report that my AFI went from 5.6 to 20 in three days following good counsel of my amazing team of midwives. Love you ladies. All is well; that's our hope, and expectation, as a constant...
The amniotic fluid that surrounds a fetus (unborn baby) plays a crucial role in normal development. This clear-colored liquid cushions and protects the baby. By the second trimester, the baby is able to breathe the fluid into the lungs and to swallow it. This promotes normal growth and development of the lungs and gastrointestinal system. Amniotic fluid allows the baby to move around, aiding development of muscles and bones.
This period of time marks the period of bed rest and heavy reading for me. I'm following up on this past a month later, able now to report that my AFI went from 5.6 to 20 in three days following good counsel of my amazing team of midwives. Love you ladies. All is well; that's our hope, and expectation, as a constant...
The amniotic fluid that surrounds a fetus (unborn baby) plays a crucial role in normal development. This clear-colored liquid cushions and protects the baby. By the second trimester, the baby is able to breathe the fluid into the lungs and to swallow it. This promotes normal growth and development of the lungs and gastrointestinal system. Amniotic fluid allows the baby to move around, aiding development of muscles and bones.
The amniotic sac that contains the baby forms about 12 days after conception. Amniotic fluid immediately begins to fill the sac. In the early weeks of pregnancy, amniotic fluid consists mainly of water supplied by the mother. After about 20 weeks, fetal urine makes up most of the fluid. Amniotic fluid also contains nutrients, hormones and disease-fighting antibodies (1). The amount of amniotic fluid increases until 28 to 32 weeks of pregnancy, when it measures about 1 quart. After that time, the level of fluid generally stays constant until the baby is full term (37 to 40 weeks), when the level begins to decline.
In some pregnancies, however, there may be too little or too much amniotic fluid.
How are oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios diagnosed?
An ultrasound examination can identify the amount of amniotic fluid. This procedure measures the depth of the fluid in four quadrants in the uterus. These amounts are then added up. This method results in a measurement of amniotic fluid called the amniotic fluid index (AFI). If the amniotic fluid depth measures less than 5 centimeters, the pregnant woman has oligohydramnios. If amniotic fluid levels add up to more than 24 centimeters, she has polyhydramnios (2).
How common is oligohydramnios?
About 4 percent of pregnant women have oligohydramnios (3). It can develop at any time during pregnancy, although it is most common in the last trimester. Some 12 percent of women whose pregnancies last about two weeks beyond their due dates (42 weeks gestation) develop oligohydramnios, because the level of amniotic fluid tends to decrease by that time in gestation (1, 2).
In some pregnancies, however, there may be too little or too much amniotic fluid.
- Having too little amniotic fluid is called oligohydramnios.
- Having too much amniotic fluid is called polyhydramnios.
How are oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios diagnosed?
An ultrasound examination can identify the amount of amniotic fluid. This procedure measures the depth of the fluid in four quadrants in the uterus. These amounts are then added up. This method results in a measurement of amniotic fluid called the amniotic fluid index (AFI). If the amniotic fluid depth measures less than 5 centimeters, the pregnant woman has oligohydramnios. If amniotic fluid levels add up to more than 24 centimeters, she has polyhydramnios (2).
How common is oligohydramnios?
About 4 percent of pregnant women have oligohydramnios (3). It can develop at any time during pregnancy, although it is most common in the last trimester. Some 12 percent of women whose pregnancies last about two weeks beyond their due dates (42 weeks gestation) develop oligohydramnios, because the level of amniotic fluid tends to decrease by that time in gestation (1, 2).
