Oligohidramnios or oligohydramnios are conditions when the amniotic fluid is too low, and may cause interruption during labor and infant death.
The amniotic fluid plays an important role in protecting the baby from shocks and infections, helping to keep the temperature in the uterus, preventing pressure on the umbilical cord that interferes with the baby's oxygen supply, helps the fetal breathing and digesting system, and allows the baby to move for bone and muscle development.
Oligohidramnios or lack of amniotic fluid in the body can inhibit the various functions above, causing fetal defects, pressure on the umbilical cord, can even cause death. In addition, very low levels of amniotic fluid are at risk of causing uterine contractions or infant movements that can compress the umbilical cord.
The amniotic sac forms 12 days after conception with amniotic fluid that supports the baby's life in the womb. In the second trimester, the baby begins to breathe and swallow this amniotic fluid to live. At 34-36 weeks of gestation, an average pregnant woman carries about 1 liter of amniotic fluid in her womb. After that, this fluid will slowly decrease until the time of delivery.
Therefore, the availability of amniotic fluid in the normal level is important to support the development of the fetus. Doctors can measure the normal level of amniotic fluid by evaluating the amniotic fluid index through ultrasound.
What is Oligohidramnios?
Oligohydramnios are conditions when the amniotic fluid is at too low a level indicated by:
- The amniotic fluid index indicates a fluid level of less than 5 cm by the end of the second trimester.
- At 32-36 weeks' gestation, the amount of amniotic fluid is less than 500 mL.
Meanwhile, the amniotic fluid present in excessively high levels is called polyhydramnios.
Oligohydramnios can be triggered by many things such as placental impairment, congenital abnormalities, leakage of amniotic sacs, delivery past the expected date, premature rupture of membranes, diabetes, preeclampsia, hypertension, dehydration, and chronic hypoxia.
Oligohidramnios can occur at any time, but it is most common in the third trimester of pregnancy. In addition, people who contain more than one child or twins are also more at risk of having oligohydramnios. Oligohydramnios can cause complications in about 12% of pregnancies 41 weeks of age and above.
The risk of miscarriage in pregnancy will increase if pregnant women experience oligohydramnios. Approximately 80-90% of pregnancies with oligohydramnios conditions are reported to have a miscarriage due to congenital defects in the fetus. If this condition is newly diagnosed as it approaches the last trimester of pregnancy, then the risk of preterm birth and the possibility of having to be born with Caesarean procedures will be higher.
Some Steps of Treating Oligohidramnios:
Handling oligohydramnios depends on the condition of the baby, the age of pregnancy, and the presence or absence of complications during pregnancy. Handling is done by:
- The fetus needs to get rigorous monitoring through ultrasound to see its activity and condition.
- Pregnant women will be advised to consume plenty of fluids.
- In certain cases, such as infant growth in the uterus inhibited or preeclampsia, oligohydramnios may need to be addressed through induced labor if the gestational age is nearing the time of delivery.
- During labor, the doctor may provide amniotic fluid through a catheter inserted into the uterus to reduce the risk of pressure on the umbilical cord.
- Consideration for delivery by caesarean section.
By checking the content regularly, the risk of oligohydramnios can be detected early and proper treatment can be immediately pursued by the doctor. However, immediately consult a midwife or doctor if the baby feels less active as usual during pregnancy.