Contents:
- Medical Video: Amniocentesis (Amniotic Fluid Test)
- Function of amniotic fluid for babies
- What happens if the amount of amniotic fluid is small?
- What is oligohydramnios?
- What causes a small amount of amniotic fluid?
Medical Video: Amniocentesis (Amniotic Fluid Test)
Babies in the womb are surrounded by amniotic fluid which makes it protected from infection and external pressure. Amniotic fluid also supports baby movements, allowing the baby to move freely during the womb. Thus, the amount of amniotic fluid is related to the movement of the baby in the womb. Amniotic fluid must be in a normal amount to support the life of the fetus in the womb. Then, what if the amniotic fluid is a little? Will it affect fetal movements?
Function of amniotic fluid for babies
Amniotic fluid is one of the supporters of growth and development in the womb. This amniotic fluid is on the 12th day after fertilization (the egg cell meets sperm), where the amniotic sac has formed. Then, the amniotic sac will be filled with water obtained from the mother. Furthermore, the amniotic sac increases and has more fluid volume together with a larger fetal size.
With amniotic fluid, the baby can move freely in the womb. In the second trimester, the baby starts breathing and swallowing amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid swallowed by the baby is then removed from the baby's body, so the amount of amniotic fluid increases following the development of the baby. The mother's body also provides additional fluids for the fetus.
What happens if the amount of amniotic fluid is small?
Amniotic fluid can also be reduced in number due to various things. This small amount of amniotic fluid can certainly affect the growth and movement of the baby. In addition, a small amount of amniotic fluid also can reduce the movement of the baby in the womb. Research by Sival and colleagues in 1990 showed that a decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid can cause a decrease in the speed and amplitude of movements in the womb.
Yes, a decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid, or oligohydramnios, is indeed one of the factors that can affect fetal movements. In addition to oligohydramnios, other factors that can affect decreased fetal movement are:
- Delay in uterine growth (IUGR) or fetus smaller than gestational age (small for gestational age)
- The function of the placenta is reduced
- Premature birth will occur
- Infections that occur in the uterus
- Fetomaternal bleeding
READ ALSO: 4 Things You Need to Know About the Placenta (Ari-Ari Baby)
What is oligohydramnios?
Oligohydramnios is a condition with too little amniotic fluid. Pregnant women who have little amniotic fluid may not necessarily experience oligohydramnios, because there is a measure in which pregnant women can be said to have oligohydramnios. If your amniotic fluid volume is less than 500 ml at 32-36 weeks' gestation, then you may experience oligohydramnios.
Oligohydramnios can occur at any time when you are pregnant, but oligohydramnios generally occurs in the last trimester of pregnancy. The closer the date of birth, the lower the amniotic fluid volume. If pregnant women do not give birth after the date of birth has passed, pregnant women are more at risk of developing oligohydramnios because the amniotic fluid can decrease by half a fold after reaching 42 weeks' gestation.
READ ALSO: Effects on Infants If Amniotic Fluid Is Too Much Or Few
What causes a small amount of amniotic fluid?
Oligohydramnios can be caused by various things, such as:
- Birth defects, where the baby has problems with the kidneys and urinary tract so the baby produces less urine. As a result, the amount of amniotic fluid will decrease.
- Problems with the placenta, this can cause interference with blood flow from mother to fetus. As a result, the fetus does not receive enough nutrients and oxygen from the mother. So, the fluid that enters the baby's body and then is released by the baby's body will be disrupted by the cycle.
- The membranes rupture, this can make the amniotic fluid out of the uterus in small or large quantities. Of course, this makes the amniotic fluid lessen.
- Pregnancy that is past the date of birth, pregnancy is 42 weeks old or more likely to have a low amount of amniotic fluid because the function of the placenta has begun to decrease.
- Pregnancy complications, such as dehydration, hypertension, preeclampsia, diabetes, and hypoxia can affect the amount of amniotic fluid. Yes, dehydration can cause your amniotic fluid to decrease in number. The amount of fluid you drink every day can affect the amount of amniotic fluid in your uterus. A study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Research in 2009 showed that pregnant women who have a low amount of amniotic fluid can increase the amount of their fluids through the water they drink every day.
All of the above causes of oligohydramnios can reduce amniotic fluid, which in turn can cause the movement of the baby in the uterus to slow down or decrease.
READ ALSO: Not Only In Mothers, Preeclampsia Also Affects Infants
