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Polyhydramnios

 

Polyhydramnios occurs when too much amniotic fluid builds up during pregnancy. It is also called amniotic fluid disorder, or hydramnios.

Considerations

Amniotic fluid is the liquid that surrounds the baby in the womb (uterus). It comes from the baby's kidneys, and it goes into the uterus from the baby's urine. The fluid is absorbed when the baby swallows it and through breathing motions.

While in the womb, the baby floats in the amniotic fluid. It surrounds and cushions the infant during pregnancy. The amount of amniotic fluid is greatest at 34 to 36 weeks of pregnancy. Then the amount slowly decreases until the baby is born.

The amniotic fluid:

  • Allows baby to move in the womb, promoting muscle and bone growth
  • Helps baby's lungs to develop
  • Protects the baby from heat loss by keeping the temperature constant
  • Cushions and protects the baby from sudden blows from outside the womb

Causes

 

Polyhydramnios can occur if the baby does not swallow and absorb amniotic fluid in normal amounts. This can happen if the baby has certain health problems, including:

  • Gastrointestinal disorders, such as duodenal atresia , esophageal atresia , gastroschisis , and diaphragmatic hernia
  • Brain and nervous system problems, such as anencephaly and myotonic dystrophy
  • Achondroplasia
  • Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome

It can also happen if the mother has poorly controlled diabetes.

Polyhydramnios also may occur if too much fluid is produced. This may be due to:

  • Certain lung disorders in the baby
  • Multiple pregnancy (for example, twins or triplets)
  • Hydrops fetalis in the baby

Sometimes, no specific cause is found.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call your health care provider if you are pregnant and notice that your belly is getting large very quickly.

 

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

 

Your health care provider measures the size of your belly at every visit. This shows the size of your womb. If your womb is growing faster than expected, or it is larger than normal for your baby's gestational age , the provider may:

  • Have you come back sooner than normal to check it again
  • Do an ultrasound

If your provider finds a birth defect, you may need amniocentesis to test for a genetic defect.

Mild polyhydramnios that shows up later in pregnancy often doesn't cause serious problems.

Severe polyhydramnios may be treated with medicine or by having extra fluid removed.

Women with polyhydramnios are more likely to go into early labor. The baby will need to be delivered in a hospital. That way, the doctors can immediately check the health of the mother and baby and give treatment if needed.

 

 

References

Carlo WA. High-risk pregnancies. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 89.

Cunningham FG, Leveno KJ, Bloom SL, et al. Amniotic fluid. In: Cunningham FG, Leveno KJ, Bloom SL, Spong CY, Dashe JS, Hoffman BL, Casey BM, Sheffield JS, eds. Williams Obstetrics . 24th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2014:chap 11.

Gilbert WM. Amniotic fluid disorders. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, et al, eds. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 33.

 
  • Polyhydramnios - illustration

    Polyhydramnios may occur when a fetus cannot swallow a normal amount of amniotic fluid due to a gastrointestinal, neurological, or other problem.

    Polyhydramnios

    illustration

    • Polyhydramnios - illustration

      Polyhydramnios may occur when a fetus cannot swallow a normal amount of amniotic fluid due to a gastrointestinal, neurological, or other problem.

      Polyhydramnios

      illustration

    Tests for Polyhydramnios

     

       

      Review Date: 4/15/2015

      Reviewed By: Irina Burd, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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