During pregnancy, the expectant mother has to undergo a variety of studies from the earliest possible time. Regularly before each examination, a woman passes a blood and urine test. Based on these indicators, the specialist determines the health status of the fairer sex. About once every three months, the expectant mother visits the ultrasound diagnostic room. During such a study, polyhydramnios during pregnancy are sometimes detected . The causes, consequences, treatment of this pathological process will be presented to you in the article. You can also find out how this condition affects the birth of a future baby.
Norm
Before finding out the causes of polyhydramnios during pregnancy, the consequences and methods of elimination, it must be said about how usually an increase in the amount of water passes. Normally, the fetus is surrounded by amniotic fluid throughout the gestation period. At 12 weeks, its amount is about three tablespoons. At this time, during ultrasound, they do not pay special attention to the amniotic fluid index.
Over the course of pregnancy, the amount of water increases. So, by 30 weeks, its volume reaches a little more than half a liter. Before the birth, which should take place on time, amniotic fluid fills from one to one and a half liters of the uterus. It is worth noting that in many representatives of the weaker sex this volume decreases by the onset of labor.
Polyhydramnios
Causes, effects on childbirth, the consequences of this condition will be described later. Before this we give a definition and characterization of this term. Polyhydramnios is the condition during pregnancy when the amount of amniotic fluid is significantly exceeded. Note that the volume does not always go beyond the permissible limits. Sometimes, approaching a higher norm is already characterized by the term “moderate polyhydramnios”.
There is a classification of the described condition. An increase in amniotic fluid index may be chronic or acute. The latter, in turn, is more dangerous. You can diagnose this condition by external indicators, complaints of a woman or by means of ultrasound diagnostics. The chronic form of pathology is characterized by a gradual increase in the volume of amniotic fluid. In acute polyhydramnios, the level of amniotic fluid increases rapidly over several hours or days.
Symptoms of polyhydramnios
It is not always possible to determine this state. Very often, a woman finds out about her diagnosis only with the next ultrasound. More often this happens with a chronic course of pathology. However, there are other signs of the problem.
Intensive growth of the abdomen. With polyhydramnios, the height of the bottom of the genital organ exceeds the norm for its term. Moreover, the circumference at the navel level is more than 100 centimeters. A woman may complain of shortness of breath, heaviness when walking, fatigue, the appearance of stretch marks.
Unusual symptoms. If you had to deal with polyhydramnios, then you probably know what fluctuation is. With this syndrome, the expectant mother clearly hears in the silence gurgling sounds from her abdomen. Also, the child may have reduced activity. The baby moves, as expected, but the woman does not feel these shocks due to the large volume of water.
Doubtful signs. Also, with polyhydramnios, symptoms may appear that sometimes accompany other pathological processes. These are swelling of the legs, increased blood pressure, headaches, impaired renal function and so on. It is impossible solely for these symptoms to make the diagnosis described above.
Why does it appear?
What causes polyhydramnios during pregnancy? Symptoms of this pathology are already known to you. The true situation, which led to an increase in the amount of amniotic fluid, cannot always be found. Doctors say that polyhydramnios is diagnosed in one expectant mother out of a hundred. It can be concluded that this disease is not so common. More often, pregnant women have to deal with water shortage.
Even with the development of modern medicine, most women are diagnosed with polyhydramnios of unclear origin. Less commonly, the cause is established and appropriate therapy is prescribed. Typically, treatment of polyhydramnios is carried out within the walls of the hospital. Moreover, the amount of fluid is monitored daily using an ultrasound scanner. Consider what causes polyhydramnios (moderate, chronic, acute) causes and methods of treatment.
Intrauterine infection
The most common cause of pathology is infection. It can be a sexually transmitted disease. Also often the cause of the problem is the inflammatory process in the pelvic organs in women. That is why doctors are strongly advised to undergo all examinations and plan treatment if necessary before planning a pregnancy.
Correction of this reason is carried out under the supervision of doctors. A woman is usually prescribed antibacterial or antiviral therapy. However, types of infections are established before this.
Different rhesus
The causes and consequences of polyhydramnios are interrelated. If the future mother has a negative Rh factor, and the father of the child is positive, then a conflict may arise. Usually this does not happen during the first pregnancy. After birth, antibodies can form in the blood of a woman who, in subsequent pregnancies, will try to destroy the foreign body. At the same time, polyhydramnios often develops.
Eliminating an existing problem can be quite difficult. However, prevention allows a woman not to face the development of a Rhesus conflict. For this, immunoglobulin is administered. Note that the procedure takes place at a certain time under the supervision of specialists. These funds are sold exclusively by prescription.
Fetal malformations
There are other causes of polyhydramnios during pregnancy. And the consequences of this condition will be appropriate. If during the formation of the baby’s organs and systems some kind of malfunction occurred, then malformations develop, which are later called congenital. Often this condition is accompanied by polyhydramnios.
Correction of congenital malformations of the baby is not always possible. But often with timely detection, treatment is prescribed immediately after childbirth.
Other reasons
The described situations are the most frequent, which lead to the development of polyhydramnios acute or chronic. But there are other reasons for this pathology. Among them are:
- woman's age (before 18 or after 35 years);
- improper lifestyle (malnutrition, bad habits);
- diseases (diabetes mellitus, vascular pathologies);
- pyelonephritis;
- multiple pregnancy and so on.
Polyhydramnios during pregnancy: causes and consequences - is there a relationship?
Doctors say that depending on what caused the development of the disease, we can talk about the outcome. If polyhydramnios appears due to Rhesus conflict, then subsequently the child may develop diseases such as newborn jaundice, increased bilirubin. Less often, the death of the embryo occurs even before its birth.
With intrauterine infection, the disease can go to the baby at the time of birth. In this case, the severity of the condition of the child will be determined depending on the type of infection. When it comes to diabetes, gestosis often leads to hypoxia.
As you can see, if polyhydramnios develops during pregnancy, the causes and consequences are interrelated. If this pathology is detected, it is necessary to start its correction as soon as possible. If it was not possible to find out the reason, then the woman is prescribed medications that support the normal condition of the baby: medications to improve blood circulation, sedative medications, restorative and so on.
How does polyhydramnios affect the course of labor?
Often with polyhydramnios (if there is suffering in the baby), early delivery is recommended. However, in most cases, a cesarean section is performed. If the condition of the woman does not pose a threat to the child, then natural birth is allowed.
Fights during polyhydramnios are often weak. In this case, doctors resort to dissection of the fetal bladder. If the water leaves on its own, then a strong flow can carry part of the umbilical cord, leg or handle of the baby into the cervical canal. All this can end rather deplorably.
During childbirth with polyhydramnios, weakness of labor can be noted . In this case, doctors resort to stimulation. Expectant mother is injected with drugs that enhance the contractility of the genital organ.
You already know what causes and consequences of polyhydramnios during pregnancy. It is worth noting that most of these births begin with the help of specialists. Self-contractions may not start until 42 weeks of gestation.
The most dangerous consequence of polyhydramnios is the detachment of the placenta, which occurs prematurely. In this case, a woman needs emergency medical assistance. Otherwise, there is a threat to the life of the mother and baby.
Conclusion
You have learned what polyhydramnios is. Diagnosis and treatment, consequences and causes are presented to your attention. Remember that now you are responsible for the health and life of the unborn child. Do not let the situation drift. With qualified help and the timely use of appropriate medications, the problem usually does not lead to serious consequences. All the best to you!