What should I do if the fetus shows a small head at 36 weeks of pregnancy? What can I eat to supplement the amniotic fluid?

During pregnancy, regular prenatal checkups are performed to determine the development and health of the fetus. During prenatal checkups, B-ultrasound and other methods can be used to determine the size and head circumference of the fetus. So what should I do if the fetus's head circumference is small at 36 weeks of pregnancy? Can I use food to supplement if there is not much amniotic fluid?

What should I do if the fetus shows a small head at 36 weeks of pregnancy?

The standard biparietal diameter of a 36-week fetus is 8.81±0.57 cm. Check yourself first to see if it is within the standard range.

1. Genetic problems

The size of the fetus's head is also hereditary. If the parents' or relatives' heads are not very big, the baby's head will not be very big either. Check yourself first to see if you or your relatives have this condition in your head.

2. Head shape problem

The biparietal diameter measures the size of the left and right sides of the fetal head. At this time, the skull is not completely closed. If it is narrower on the left and right and wider front and back, it is normal for the biparietal diameter to be smaller. After the baby is born, the head shape will change.

3. Measurement issues

The measuring instrument itself has certain errors, and the measuring personnel will also have errors when operating. After all, the size of the fetus's head is not measured directly, but the size is calculated through the belly based on the imaging system, so it is normal to have an error of about 2 weeks.

4. Disease issues

Certain diseases can also cause a small fetal head, such as umbilical cord torsion, placental insufficiency, poor fetal nutrient absorption, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm whether there is a disease problem through examination, and if it cannot be corrected, delivery should be carried out in time.

5. Nutritional issues

If the pregnant mother has problems with partiality, picky eating, or anorexia, it will lead to malnutrition, and the fetus will not be able to be provided with sufficient nutrition, resulting in fetal maldevelopment. If this is the reason, then you need to adjust your diet and eat more high-protein, high-nutrition foods to keep up with your nutrition.

What can I eat to replenish the amniotic fluid?

The amount of amniotic fluid is generally diagnosed by B-mode ultrasound. During the 28-40 weeks of pregnancy, the maximum diameter of the amniotic fluid pool is stable within the range of 5.1±2.1cm. AFD≤2cm is oligohydramnios, and ≤1cm is severe oligohydramnios.

Too little amniotic fluid is a very dangerous signal for the fetus. If it is in the mild range, it is recommended to supplement more nutrients, eat small meals frequently, and eat at least 4 times a day to allow the fetus to grow more healthily. At the same time, pay attention to the daily water intake, drink more water and soup, such as chicken soup and pork rib soup, etc. After a period of replenishment, the amount of amniotic fluid will slowly increase.

Recommended: boiled water, milk, soy milk. You can also eat more iron-rich foods, such as: pork liver, egg yolk, beef, soybeans, etc.

Prohibited: mung bean soup, winter melon soup, corn silk water, watermelon and other diuretic and detumescent foods.

Is the small size of the fetus due to lack of nutrition?

The small size of the fetus in the late pregnancy is not necessarily the result of lack of nutrition, but may also be caused by malnutrition, resulting in fetal growth retardation. For example, if the pregnant woman has an improper diet, is picky about dieting, and is malnourished, the fetus will naturally be malnourished without nutrient absorption; severe anemia, heart disease, pregnancy-induced hypertension, etc. in pregnant women may all lead to fetal malnutrition and growth retardation; if the pregnant woman has an improper diet, smokes and drinks excessively, it will still lead to fetal growth retardation.

In fact, the fetus will be smaller or larger when the pregnant woman goes for a prenatal check-up. Generally speaking, if the fetus is normal in the first 2 weeks, just pay a little attention to diet; however, if the fetus is less than 3 weeks, you should pay attention and solve the cause found.

How long does the size last? If it is within the specified range, don’t worry, just pay attention to your diet. If it is severely small, you need to find out the cause and then treat it accordingly.