Can I have a normal birth with little amniotic fluid at 39 weeks?

The average gestation period for pregnant women is 40 weeks, and at 39 weeks, the pregnant woman is close to giving birth. During this period, pregnant women need to observe their own body changes, record the frequency of fetal movements, and go to the hospital for prenatal check-ups under the supervision of their relatives. So can I choose natural birth if the amniotic fluid is too low at 39 weeks?

If the pregnancy is 39 weeks, the amniotic fluid depth is not less than three centimeters, and the amniotic fluid index is not less than five centimeters, normal delivery can be achieved. And during delivery, the doctor will monitor the fetal heart rate for the pregnant woman. If the fetal heartbeat is not good, a caesarean section will be required to deliver the baby. If the fetal heartbeat and fetal position are normal, it also depends on the baby's weight. It is best to choose the appropriate delivery method under the guidance of a doctor.

When the amniotic fluid of a pregnant woman continues to decrease, the endometrium will be compressed on the fetus and its umbilical cord, causing intrauterine hypoxia of the fetus. In severe cases, the fetus may even suffer from asphyxiation, which is very serious. Therefore, when the amniotic fluid of pregnant women decreases, parents should take them to the hospital for treatment. They can improve the function of the placenta and enhance the ability to resist infection by increasing the amount of fluid infusion.

In daily life, pregnant women are advised to sleep on their left side to rest, which can provide the fetus with more nutrients. And relatives should comfort pregnant women more and give them plenty of spiritual support. Pregnant women themselves should also maintain an optimistic attitude, read some books about childbirth, or learn from other first-time mothers to alleviate their own concerns.

The amniotic fluid of pregnant women has two functions

One is to protect the fetus. Appropriate amniotic fluid has a regulating effect on the fetus, preventing the fetus from being squeezed, so as to avoid direct compression of the endometrium or the fetus on the umbilical cord, causing intrauterine distress of the fetus. Before delivery, the amniotic fluid of the pregnant woman can evenly distribute the pressure of uterine contractions and prevent the fetus from suffering intrauterine distress caused by partial force on the fetus.

Too little amniotic fluid may cause fetal lung hypoplasia, because the fetus swallows or inhales the amniotic fluid of the pregnant woman, which can promote the growth and development of the fetus's digestive system and lungs.

The second is to protect the pregnant mother and reduce the discomfort caused by the baby's fetal movement. Before and after the mother's delivery, the amniotic fluid sac can expand the cervix and vagina by relying on the pressure of the wedge shape. After rupture of the membrane, the amniotic fluid of the pregnant woman will flush the vagina and reduce the chance of infection.

If the amniotic fluid is low at 39 weeks, it doesn't mean that you can't choose natural delivery. It depends on the level of the amniotic fluid and the condition of the pregnant woman's cervix and vagina also needs to be assessed. An oxytocin stress test can also be performed to understand the fetal tolerance to intrauterine hypoxia. If the oxytocin stress test shows that the fetus does not have terminal deceleration, natural delivery can still be attempted.