Hydramnios, or too much amniotic fluid in the uterus during pregnancy, affects 10% of pregnancies per year and can cause premature birth and underdeveloped vital organs. It can result from the mother’s body producing too much fluid or the baby’s inability to swallow and process fluid properly. Treatment includes specialized medications and early hospitalization.
Hydramnios, also called polyhydramnios, refers to too much amniotic fluid in the uterus during pregnancy. It is a rare condition that affects only 10% of pregnancies per year. Hydramnios can occur when a woman’s body produces too much fluid, or it can result from the baby’s inability to swallow and process fluid properly. Babies are at risk of being born prematurely and with underdeveloped vital organs if the condition is not treated prenatally with specialized medications.
In normal amounts, amniotic fluid plays an essential role in fetal development. The fluid that surrounds the fetus provides cushioning and protection from injury. Additionally, a growing embryo needs to swallow and process relatively large amounts of amniotic fluid to protect itself from infection and promote the formation of healthy lungs, bones, and muscles. Healthy fetuses recycle fluids by excreting them as urine and swallowing them again, keeping fluid levels nearly constant throughout development.
Doctors have identified many specific risk factors for hydramnios. A blockage in the fetus’s gastrointestinal tract could prevent fluid from being ingested and processed properly, leading to a buildup of fluid in the uterus. A central nervous system or neuromuscular defect can also inhibit proper swallowing. Hydramnios can also occur in women who carry twins if one fetus receives a disproportionate amount of blood and nutrients, causing the other to process unsuccessfully. Excess fluid levels can also be related to the mother’s health condition, especially in the case of uncontrolled diabetes, kidney problems and circulatory system disorders.
A fetus that is unable to swallow and process sufficient amounts of amniotic fluid is at risk of never fully developing lung tissue. Skeletal disorders such as dislocated hips and smaller than usual legs and arms are common. Babies are often born prematurely, adding to their developmental problems.
In most cases, hydramnios is noticed during routine ultrasounds and screenings during the third trimester of pregnancy. When high levels of amniotic fluid are found, a doctor may conduct a more intensive ultrasound to look closely at a fetus’s anatomy. Doctors look for signs of abnormal functioning of the lungs and heart, gastrointestinal blockages, and an irregularly sized abdomen. The mother is also typically tested for diabetes and other conditions to help narrow down possible causes of hydramnios.
Once the condition has been diagnosed, your doctor can decide on the best course of treatment. Since premature birth is likely, the doctor may order an expectant mother to enter the hospital earlier than usual. You may be given steroids in an attempt to increase the lung development of your fetus before delivery. Additional drugs are given to mothers to reduce urine flow from the fetuses, effectively lowering the total amount of amniotic fluid lost in the uterus.
With early treatment, hydramnios often resolves before the baby is born. Because the baby may still be born prematurely and face developmental issues, it is essential that emergency specialists attend the delivery. When experts are available to provide intensive care, babies and their mothers enjoy a very good prognosis.
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