![]() Having low amniotic fluid is a fairly common problem. Too little amniotic fluid surrounding your baby is called oligohydramnios, and too much fluid is called polyhydramnios, or hydramnios. ![]() From 38 weeks onwards, the fluid gradually begins to reduce, until you’re ready to give birth (NHS 2018a, Payne 2016).īecause your baby regularly swallows amniotic fluid, and passes it out of their body as urine, the amount of fluid in the amniotic sac normally rises and falls every day. You’ll start off with just a few millilitres, but will have between 800ml (1.4 pints) and 1,000ml (1.8 pints) by the time you’re about 36 weeks pregnant (Carter 2017, Payne 2016). What is a normal volume of amniotic fluid?The amount of amniotic fluid increases as your pregnancy progresses. Keeps your baby at a constant temperature.Helps your baby’s lungs and digestive system to mature, and their muscles and bones to develop.Protects your baby from being hurt if you have a blow to your tummy, or if your bump is squashed.This is known as your waters breaking.Īmniotic fluid works in many ways to help your baby develop throughout your pregnancy. The membranes usually break open during labour, when your baby is ready to be born, and fluid flows out. These membranes keep your baby safely sealed in the bag of amniotic fluid. The wall of the amniotic sac is made up of two membranes: the chorion and the amnion. Then from about 20 weeks it’s mostly made up of your baby’s urine (March of Dimes, 2020). At first, your amniotic fluid is mostly water. What is amniotic fluid?Amniotic fluid cushions your growing baby inside the fluid-filled bag (amniotic sac) in your womb (uterus). It could be caused by your waters breaking, a problem with the placenta, or being dehydrated. The causes of oligohydramnios vary depending on how close you are to your due date. Low amniotic fluid or oligohydramnios is a common pregnancy complication. What can I do if I have oligohydramnios?.How does oligohydramnios affect my baby during labour and birth?.How does oligohydramnios affect my baby during pregnancy?.How do I know if I have low levels of amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios)?.What is a normal volume of amniotic fluid?.
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