Fluid loss during pregnancy: consequences and what to do

The decrease in amniotic fluid is called oligohydramnios and can result in complications for the baby, as the amniotic fluid is responsible for regulating temperature, allows the development and movement of the baby, prevents trauma and compression of the umbilical cord, in addition to protecting the baby. baby against infections. Thus, with the decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid, the baby becomes more exposed to different situations.

If it is found that there is little amniotic fluid in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, it is recommended that the woman adopt measures to try to minimize the problem, and it is recommended that she rest and drink plenty of water, as this in addition to preventing the loss of amniotic fluid, increases the production of this liquid, avoiding complications.

Reducing the volume of amniotic fluid at any stage of pregnancy can lead to lung problems in the baby or miscarriage, but in these cases, the obstetrician carries out weekly assessments of the amount of amniotic fluid, with ultrasound and ultrasound, to decide whether there is a need to induce amniotic fluid. childbirth, especially when this happens in the last trimester of pregnancy.

Main consequences

Loss of fluid during pregnancy can result in some complications for the baby, because amniotic fluid is essential for regulating the baby’s temperature and development. Therefore, when it is reduced, some of the main consequences that can happen are:

• Baby smaller for gestational age;
• Growth delay;
• Impairment of muscle strengthening;
• Less movement of the baby, which can cause muscle atrophy;
• Increased chance of umbilical cord compression, which can affect the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the baby;
• Delayed development, especially of the lungs and kidneys;
• Greater chance of serious infections;
• Greater risk of trauma;
• Difficulty breathing;
• Abortion, when the loss of fluid is more intense and occurs in the first half of pregnancy, until week 24.

Furthermore, the amount of amniotic fluid interferes with the visualization of the baby through ultrasound. In other words, if there is less liquid, it is more difficult to visualize and identify fetal changes.

What to do

It is important to pay attention to the amount of fluid lost and the week of pregnancy you are in, because if the loss occurs after week 36 of pregnancy, it is possible that it is indicative of rupture of the membranes and the beginning of labor, which is essential. for the woman to be taken to the hospital.

In cases where loss of amniotic fluid occurs in the first two trimesters of pregnancy, it is essential that the woman consults the doctor immediately so that the amount of amniotic fluid that is present can be assessed according to the gestational age, in addition to being important to have regular consultations with the obstetrician to assess fluid volume throughout the pregnancy.

Depending on gestational age and amount of fluid lost, maternal hydration may be indicated, in which serum is administered to the mother to increase the amount of fluid, or amnioinfusion, which is a more invasive procedure in which saline solution is administered directly into the amniotic cavity to restore the normal amount of amniotic fluid, allow better visualization of the baby on ultrasound and prevent complications.

In some cases, when fluid loss occurs in the second half of pregnancy, labor induction may be necessary, however, depending on the gestational age, there may be a greater risk of complications. Here’s how to know you’re losing fluid.

Loss of fluid during childbirth

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 a normal birth, and which allows to avoid complications such as lack of oxygen in the baby, which can happen if the umbilical cord becomes stuck between the mother and the baby. However, this treatment is not used to treat the lack of amniotic fluid during pregnancy because it only works while the fluid is being injected during normal birth.

Normal amounts of amniotic fluid per trimester

The normal amount of amniotic fluid in a pregnant woman’s belly during pregnancy increases each week, and at the end of:

• 1st Quarter (between 1 and 12 weeks): there is around 50 ml of amniotic fluid;
• 2nd Quarter (between 13 and 24 weeks): approximately 600 ml of amniotic fluid;
• 3rd Quarter (from 25 weeks until the end of pregnancy): there is between 1000 and 1500 ml of amniotic fluid. ​

Normally, amniotic fluid increases by around 25 ml until the 15th week of pregnancy and then 50 ml per week is produced until 34 weeks and then decreases until the date of delivery.