The amniotic fluid serves as protector of the fetus inside the womb. And during true labor it serves as lubricant to deliver the child without hardship. The baby is located inside the amniotic sac. In its two weeks of pregnancy, the amniotic fluid develops and eventually fills the amniotic sac. The amniotic fluid as protector to the fetus contains a lot of nutrients, some hormones and a lot of antibodies. The amount of amniotic liquid inside the amniotic sac increase by up to one quart until the pregnancy comes to seven months. By the time of eight to nine months, amniotic level begins to decline in preparation of labor. Too little amniotic fluid can give problem to the baby.
Oligohydramnios is a medical term used to describe low level of amniotic fluid. Oligohydramnios affect the fetus when it occurs during fifth month of pregnancy. Among complications of Oligohydramnios are the following:
• Fetal birth defect. Too little of amniotic fluid will squeeze some of the fetal organs especially those organs who are still under developed like the lungs, and fetal extremities.
• Miscarriage. Remember that the amniotic fluid serves as protector o the fetus. When there is not enough amniotic fluid, there will be n anti bodies to protect fetus.
• Premature birth. A decrease of amniotic fluid means a time of delivering the fetus. When an amniotic fluid decrease prior to its full term, premature labor is likely to happen.
• Still birth. When there is too little amniotic fluid, the fetus is prone for infection. When infection occur the chance of delivering the baby lifeless is high.
Most of the pregnant women suffer from Oligohydramnios without any identified or clear cause. Below are some causes in developing Oligohydramnios.
• Premature rapture of the membrane or the amniotic sac.
• Kidney and urinary infection for the baby. A baby with less urine output usually has little amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluids basically are urine from babies.
• Postpartum pregnancy. The normal gestational age for the fetus to stay in the womb is up to 40 weeks, beyond this the amniotic fluid gradually decrease and dried up.
• Maternal condition. If a mother suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, they are incapable of producing normal amount of amniotic fluid.
• Medications. Medications for high blood pressure causes kidney problem to baby. Remember that amniotic fluid is mostly urine from the fetus.