The female body is most surprisingly adapted to the birth and bearing of a baby. Absolutely everything in it is provided so that the child who is born feels complete comfort and nothing can prevent him from growing well and quickly. It also has maximum protection against harmful external factors. The amniotic fluid in which the child is located takes on the task. But in order for the little miracle to be really convenient and not to experience any difficulties, water must be present in the required quantity. Moderate oligohydramnios during pregnancy is often enough, but you should not immediately raise the alarm. Initially, you need to understand this problem.
The importance of amniotic fluid
Amniotic fluid (medical name) fully provides everything necessary for the proper development of the unborn child. It contains various vitamins, hormonal compounds, oxygen and salt compounds, which are very necessary for the fetus, which are the main building materials for the entire small organism.
Amniotic fluid is not only a breeding ground for the baby, they also in every possible way protect it from various negative factors, gently reducing physical effects, and neutralize infectious attacks. As pregnancy develops, their number should increase, and the composition should be constantly updated, as the needs of the developing organism also grow and change. It is very important that the doctor who observes the pregnancy of the patient monitors all abnormalities and failures that may occur, in particular, a decrease in water. Such a problem can lead to serious complications during gestation.
Definition of concepts and norms
Moderate oligohydramnios during pregnancy is when the volume of amniotic fluid is slightly lower than necessary. This condition is most often easily amenable to correction. With the help of modern equipment, the emerging problem can be diagnosed during 2-3 trimesters. Most often, this pathology is called an implicit deviation.
At various stages of gestation, there are indicators of amniotic fluid volumes. In the first month and a half, they make up only 5 ml. Then there is a constant increase in their volume, and already a few weeks before the baby appears, it can vary from 1 to 1.5 liters. Directly before the birth itself, the water becomes less: about 600 ml.
Intrauterine fluid is constantly updated. In the last stages of gestation, these processes occur every three hours. During the day, the baby swallows about 4 liters of water. The products of his life are removed through special channels and pores of the amnion. This liquid is obtained during the operation of the epithelium of the water membrane.
If there are minor deviations from the norm downwards, then this condition is defined as moderate oligohydramnios during pregnancy. The treatment and the consequences of this ailment can be different, so the problem requires constant monitoring by specialists, and after that - the appointment of medical correction.
Classification
Such an ailment can be divided according to the degree of duration into chronic and acute forms. The problem, which refers to the first type, develops in stages. Treatment will require a significant amount of time. In the absence of therapy, the phenomenon gradually begins to progress. This form may occur in the expectant mother in the presence of a serious illness, for example, diabetes. In order to minimize negative consequences, a woman must constantly undergo all prescribed examinations and take appropriate medications.
Acute oligohydramnios during pregnancy is also quite common, the causes and consequences of which are milder. Infectious diseases are most often the source of the problem. This condition is characterized by less complications and does not require special procedures.
You can also divide the ailment into a primary one, which develops without disruption of the functioning of the membranes, and a secondary type that occurs against a background of various pathologies. Under the influence of this, amniotic fluid simply flows out.
Low water during pregnancy. Reasons and consequences
The reviews of modern experts allowed us to distinguish the following categories of side effects of oligohydramnios:
- Abnormal development of the fetus. Most often, these are various problems in the formation of the kidneys and face shapes. It is possible to exclude the presence of this factor already from the 23rd week after the repeated ultrasound examination is performed.
- A variety of untreated bacterial infections that the pregnant woman suffered. Quite often, it can be a disease that a woman caught already while wearing the fetus. The danger is easily identified already in the 20th week. At this moment, hormones begin to actively progress, thereby provoking oligohydramnios.
- Lowering the function of the secretion of the membrane that forms the fetal egg, as well as the pathological production of the epithelium.
- High blood pressure that does not fall during the entire period of gestation. In the case of significant jumps, the amount of fluid may be lost, most often found in the 21st week.
- If a woman has a baby for more than 40 weeks, then with the 38th, oligohydramnios may begin during pregnancy. The danger of oligohydramnios is described above. Therefore, it is recommended to cause childbirth, since at 36 weeks the baby is completely ready to be born.
- Multiple pregnancy . In this case, such a pathology develops due to uneven separation in the placenta of blood flow.
- Significant metabolic disturbances, which are most likely to be detected at 21-22 weeks.
These are the main problems that oligohydramnios can cause during pregnancy.
What is the danger
The reasons why you need to see a doctor can be both minor and serious. The ailments that arise in the second trimester are of a different nature. At the middle of the cycle, the baby grows actively, and in the event of a decrease in fluid, the fetus begins to compress the walls of the uterus. In turn, this can lead to the appearance of deformation of the bones of the skull, congenital dislocation of the hip and other deviations. Then these children are under the supervision of an orthopedist. If you contact a specialist in a timely manner, these defects can be corrected.
It is important to understand what threatens and in the later stages of moderate oligohydramnios during pregnancy. Causes, symptoms are also very different. At this stage, the woman undergoes the last ultrasound, according to the results of which the doctor determines the amount of amniotic fluid. During this period, the waters begin to contract by themselves, but if they are much less than normal, then special attention should be paid to this, because this factor can affect the course of labor. If there is even moderate oligohydramnios, then this is often fraught with premature birth of the baby. If the baby is born on time, there is a chance that this will affect the opening of the uterus, since it is the fetal bladder at the time of delivery that presses on it, so it opens.
Signs
Moderate oligohydramnios very rarely accompanied by certain symptoms, but still women can sometimes experience some unpleasant sensations. Further they will be considered in more detail:
1. First of all, alertness should be pain in the lower abdomen.
2. Shivering and nausea may occur at the time of fetal movement.
3. In the second trimester, an increase in the activity of the child is observed. If the amniotic sac is fluid deficient, movement will cause the mother great discomfort.
4. The doctor may indicate the described problem, relying on the small size of the uterus, as well as abdominal circumferences that do not meet the standards.
5. Slight mobility of the fetus.
Treatment
To date, the diagnosis of moderate water shortage has become quite common. Treatment and causes can be completely minor and do not require outside intervention. With a small decrease in fluid within 400-700 ml, it is recommended to reduce physical activity, to eat high-quality and wholesome, to use multivitamin complexes and constantly be observed by your gynecologist.
In order to eliminate the aggravation of the situation, an additional unscheduled ultrasound may be necessary. If symptoms become more pronounced, then the causes and treatment of oligohydramnios during pregnancy will be different. In this case, mandatory hospitalization is required.
After the doctor makes a diagnosis, the woman immediately goes to the hospital for the necessary tests. In stationary monitoring, all necessary procedures are carried out, namely:
- Ultrasound (ultrasound);
- CTG (cardiotocography);
- laboratory tests (urine and blood).
In the event that the gynecologist suggests that the patient has amnionic hydraea, that is, leakage of amniotic fluid, a special smear is required. When a woman is at the 38th week, and the cervix is almost completely completing the preparation for childbirth, her channel will simply miss the amnioscope. Using such a device, it will be much easier for a doctor to determine the composition and amount of intrauterine fluid. This procedure does not violate the unity of the membranes and does not harm the baby. After all the tests and examinations performed, the doctor independently determines how to treat oligohydramnios during pregnancy. The reasons that cause such complications can be very different, and the main problems and methods for solving them are described below:
1. In case of amnionic hydrorrhea, the patient is prescribed strict bed rest, as well as taking special complexes of vitamins and drugs that will help reduce uterine tone and prevent infection of the membranes and the child. Most often, such pregnant women stay in hospital until the birth itself, so that doctors can constantly monitor the condition of the fetus.
2. It is important to know the danger of oligohydramnios during pregnancy, the causes of which are viral infections. Such violations can cause all kinds of pathologies. To solve the problem, it is necessary to take antiviral and restorative complexes. In addition to them, vitamin and drug therapy, which improves blood microcirculation, will be needed. If the doctor observes a positive trend, then he can allow the expectant mother to return home, but put her under constant control in the antenatal clinic.
3. With abnormal development of the membranes, it will be necessary to use methods aimed at preventing intrauterine infection and preserving the fetus. Determining the cause, diagnosis and treatment of oligohydramnios in pregnant women is carried out in the pathology department. Be sure to monitor the condition of both the patient and her child.
4. In case of overstretching, a bladder is pierced - amniotomy. After this procedure, the birth process immediately begins.
If you organize treatment in time and eliminate the current situation, the prognosis for a healthy baby will in most cases be favorable.
Effects
Very often, many do not consider it a problem and do not want to treat moderate oligohydramnios during pregnancy. The causes and consequences of such a step can be very different. The main ones are light weight in the newborn or curvature of the spine, as well as dysplasia of the hip joints. If you listen to the advice of specialists, then in most cases it is quite possible to eliminate such a nuisance. This is only possible if the expectant mother will timely attend all scheduled examinations, take tests and perform appointments made by her doctor. Thanks to this, doctors can respond in time to an existing problem and correct it.
No causes and consequences of oligohydramnios should be considered as a definitive diagnosis. The main recommendation that can be made is re-examination. It is best done in another clinic. Dopplerography of the vessels is also recommended , because such a study helps to identify pathology that is associated with delayed fetal development. Another option is cardiomonitoring, which allows a more detailed assessment of the condition of the child.
If there is such a possibility, then together with the gynecologist who is pregnant, analyze all the factors that could contribute to a decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid.
Complications
Low water during pregnancy, the symptoms and consequences of which can be very different, carries a number of certain complications:
1. Squeezing the umbilical canal. Under the influence of this, air intake will be difficult and, possibly, oxygen starvation of the baby will begin to develop. If you do not pay attention to this situation, you can even lose the fetus.
2. In the case of insufficient amounts of amniotic fluid, its circulation will be greatly complicated. The likelihood of a variety of infections in the uterine cavity increases. Such a problem carries a risk of injury during delivery.
3. Quite often, detachment of the placenta is observed, the risk of damage to the cervix becomes more significant. Fragments of the amniotic membranes may remain in the cavity, which subsequently provokes the appearance of bleeding.
4. In the case of a flat fetal bladder, there is a possibility of primary weakness at the time of labor.
5. If at 32 weeks the expectant mother was given such a diagnosis, then she should understand what threatens with low water. The consequences and signs of this ailment are most often accompanied by a delay in the formation of the fetus, which can complicate drug therapy.
6. The lack of amniotic fluid as a whole has a negative effect on growth and development. The baby does not receive all the nutritional components in the right amount.
If there is a lack of water, the child is deprived of the ability to move freely. Most often, after birth, such children are diagnosed with hip dysplasia, and spinal curvature is often recorded. But if you respond to the situation in time, thanks to modern equipment, you can minimize all the negative effects, and in most cases even completely eliminate it.
Is it realistic to prevent oligohydramnios?
Symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment are very important factors, but is it possible to predict the occurrence of a problem in advance and make the woman stay healthy? Unfortunately, such preventive measures do not exist. But there are special rules, observing which, you can minimize the development of a variety of pathologies. They include the rejection of excessive physical exertion and carrying weights.
It is important to pass all the tests and undergo examinations in time, helping to exclude various ailments that can subsequently provoke oligohydramnios during pregnancy. The causes and consequences of the diseases are negative. Therefore, it is better to take measures in advance and undergo a course of treatment that helps to improve the health of both the expectant mother and the child.
To improve health, you need to eat right. Doctors and nutritionists recommend eating fractionally, eating food at least five times a day, but in small portions. This will have a beneficial effect on the health of both the woman and the baby.
Fetal bearing and childbirth
Expectant mothers are very frightened by such a diagnosis as “moderate water shortage” during pregnancy. The causes and consequences of this diagnosis may be different, therefore, first of all, the degree of the disease must be taken into account. If a decrease in amniotic fluid appears in the later stages, then in the absence of pathologies of the child's development, everything will end favorably.
If oligohydramnios was delivered at the 27th week, it is best to conduct a comprehensive examination of the patient - undergo biochemical and ultrasound examinations, and take hormone tests.
After all the results have been obtained, if the fetus has obvious violations, it is necessary to make a difficult decision to terminate the pregnancy.
When the problem is fixed in the third trimester, and the child begins to develop with a significant delay, they most often decide on premature delivery. In any case, the final decision remains with the attending physician. It is he who determines what to do in this situation in order to minimize the risk of further complications and to prepare a woman for the birth process.