What are the dangers of having polyhydramnios?

Women with polyhydramnios may experience premature contractions, longer labor, difficulties breathing, and other problems during delivery. The condition can also cause complications for the fetus, including anatomical problems, malposition, and, in severe cases, death.

What causes high levels of amniotic fluid?

Some of the known causes of polyhydramnios include: A birth defect that affects the baby’s gastrointestinal tract or central nervous system. Maternal diabetes. Twin-twin transfusion — a possible complication of identical twin pregnancies in which one twin receives too much blood and the other too little.

What does high level of amniotic fluid mean?

(Polyhydramnios) The fluid also helps your baby move around. Having too much of this fluid is called polyhydramnios. It means that there’s more fluid around your baby than there should be. In some cases, too much amniotic fluid doesn’t cause problems. In other cases, it can cause problems such as preterm labour.

Can stress cause polyhydramnios?

Too Much Stress for the Mother Affects the Baby through Amniotic Fluid. If the mother is stressed over a longer period of time during pregnancy, the concentration of stress hormones in amniotic fluid rises, as proven by an interdisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Zurich.

Who is at risk for oligohydramnios?

About 4 out of 100 (4 percent) pregnant women have oligohydramnios. It can happen at any time during pregnancy, but it’s most common in the last trimester (last 3 months). It happens in about 12 out of 100 (12 percent) women whose pregnancies last about 2 weeks past their due dates.

How can I reduce amniotic fluid during pregnancy?

Treatment

  1. Drainage of excess amniotic fluid. Your health care provider may use amniocentesis to drain excess amniotic fluid from your uterus.
  2. Medication. Your health care provider may prescribe the oral medication indomethacin (Indocin) to help reduce fetal urine production and amniotic fluid volume.

How much is too much amniotic fluid?

Your baby needs just the right amount to protect her and help her grow. Normal amniotic fluid levels in the later stages of pregnancy are between 5 and 25 centimeters, or about 800-1000 mL. If the measurement is over 25, it’s called polyhydramnios – a condition which leads to increased risks for mom and Baby.