If there is little amniotic fluid in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, the most important thing to try to minimize the problem, besides resting, is to increase the fluid intake, always keeping the urine light, in an attempt to increase the production of amniotic fluid or at least prevent the loss of amniotic fluid volume from worsening.
Reducing the volume of amniotic fluid at any stage of pregnancy can lead to lung problems in the baby or abortion, but in these cases the obstetrician weekly assesses the amount of amniotic fluid with ultrasound to decide if there is a need to induce labor, especially when it happens in the last trimester of pregnancy.
In case of decreased amniotic fluid during delivery
In cases where the pregnant woman goes into labor with little amniotic fluid, the obstetrician can insert a small tube into the uterus to insert a substance that replaces the amniotic fluid, in the case of normal delivery, and allows avoiding complications such as lack of oxygen in the baby, which can happen if the umbilical cord gets stuck between the mother and the baby. However, this treatment does not treat the lack of amniotic fluid during gestation because it only works while the fluid is being injected during normal delivery.
If you think you are missing amniotic fluid read: What to do if you are missing amniotic fluid.
Consequences of decreased amniotic fluid
Decreased amniotic fluid can cause the baby to become smaller and have a delayed development and growth, especially of the lungs and kidneys, because the presence of amniotic fluid in normal amounts guarantees the formation of the digestive and respiratory system, and also serves to protect the infants and injuries and allow the baby to move inside the belly, strengthening your muscles as you grow.
Thus, when the amount of amniotic fluid is very low in the first half of pregnancy, up to 24 weeks, the most common complication is abortion. When the decrease occurs in the second half of pregnancy, it may be necessary to induce labor, and there is a risk that, depending on the gestational age, the baby will be born with low weight, mental retardation, respiratory distress and greater chances of developing serious infections. put the baby's life at risk.
Normal amounts of amniotic fluid per trimester
The normal amount of amniotic fluid in the pregnant woman's belly during gestation increases every week, and at the end of:
- 1st Quarter (between 1 and 12 weeks) there are about 50 ml of amniotic fluid;
- 2nd Trimester (between 13 and 24 weeks): approximately 600 ml of amniotic fluid;
- 3rd trimester (from 25 weeks to the end of pregnancy): there are between 1000 and 1500 ml of amniotic fluid.
Normally, the amniotic fluid increases by about 25 ml by the 15th week of gestation and then 50 ml per week is produced up to 34 weeks and thereafter decreases until the date of delivery.
