Is it better to have more or less amniotic fluid during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the fetus lives in amniotic fluid, which is a very good way to protect the fetus from accidental injury. It is a very important substance in the uterine cavity. During pregnancy, the amniotic fluid should not be too much or too little. Too much or too little will directly affect the health of the fetus and the mother. Therefore, it is necessary to do prenatal examinations in time to understand the situation of the amniotic fluid. Let's take a look at this aspect.

Is it better to have more or less amniotic fluid during pregnancy?

It is normal for the amniotic fluid index to reach 10-18cm in the late pregnancy.

During a normal pregnancy, the amount of amniotic fluid increases with the gestational age and begins to gradually decrease in the last 2 to 4 weeks. At full-term pregnancy, the amount of amniotic fluid is about 1000 ml (800 to 1200 ml).

If oligohydramnios is found in late pregnancy, after excluding fetal malformations, a detailed assessment of the fetal intrauterine condition can be conducted to promote fetal lung maturity; when the fetus matures, the pregnancy should be terminated as soon as possible. The method of terminating pregnancy can be vaginal induced labor or cesarean section, and the specific choice should be based on the condition of the fetus and the mother. In this case, most women can give birth to a healthy baby.

Polyhydramnios in late pregnancy is a common clinical condition. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology said: Polyhydramnios in late pregnancy is abnormal and may be a sign of abnormal fetal development, so you should go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment in time.

Polyhydramnios in late pregnancy is a common clinical condition, and it is abnormal. If you are diagnosed with polyhydramnios, your doctor will ask you to do a high-definition B-ultrasound examination to see if there are any malformations in the fetus. Your doctor may also order amniocentesis to check for genetic defects in the fetus. Your doctor will also monitor you closely during your labor. Due to excessive amniotic fluid, the risk of umbilical cord prolapse (the umbilical cord falling out of the cervix) or placental abruption when the water breaks will also be higher. Both situations require an immediate cesarean section (C-section).

What color is the amniotic fluid?

The color of amniotic fluid changes with gestational age:

1. Before full term, amniotic fluid is a colorless, clear liquid.

2. At full term, due to the presence of vernix caseosa, small pieces of fetal skin cells, vellus, hair, etc. are suspended in the amniotic fluid, and the fluid is slightly milky white and mixed with white flocs.

The following are abnormalities of amniotic fluid:

1. Yellow-green or dark green: fetal distress.

2. Golden yellow: Increased amniotic fluid bilirubin due to hemolysis caused by maternal and fetal blood incompatibility.

3. Viscous yellow: overdue pregnancy, placental insufficiency, etc.

4. Turbid, purulent or with a foul odor: intrauterine infection.