Low amniotic fluid at 32 weeks is a risk factor for fetal distress that needs to be watched out for. Amniotic fluid is an important fluid that has many important roles to support the life of the fetus in the womb. One of the functions of the liquid is to protect the baby’s umbilical cord.
If the amniotic fluid is too low at 32 weeks, it can increase the risk of umbilical cord compression which eventually blocks the flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the baby.
If the amniotic fluid is lacking at the end of pregnancy, the doctor will advise the mother to give birth immediately to prevent a number of complications. However, if the amniotic fluid is too little in mid-pregnancy, the doctor will perform several treatment steps, such as:
- Adding fluid to the amniotic sac.
- Increase fluid intake during pregnancy.
- Complete rest.
If the amniotic fluid is low at 32 weeks and left untreated, this condition will cause fetal distress and lead to some serious complications, such as premature birth, miscarriage, and low birth weight babies.
Tips for maintaining adequate amniotic fluid at 32 weeks
Amniotic fluid or amniotic fluid is the fluid contained in the space covered by the fetal membranes. The specific gravity of this liquid is 1,080 kg/mł. As the gestational age increases, the specific gravity of this fluid will decrease to 1,025-1,010 kg/m.
The condition of lack of amniotic fluid during pregnancy is a very dangerous thing for the mother and the fetus in the womb. In addition, lack of amniotic fluid can also lead to premature birth, breech babies, and even death.
Therefore, it is very important for a mother to regularly check the volume of amniotic fluid they have. If the doctor sentenced a pregnant woman to lack of amniotic fluid, here are tips and ways to keep the amniotic fluid sufficient:
- Drink a lot of water
Consuming 8-10 glasses of water every day is one way to maintain amniotic fluid so that the volume can be sufficient. By consuming water, the mother will avoid dehydration. That way, the volume of the mother’s amniotic fluid will remain in normal conditions. Simply put, when a pregnant woman increases the amount of fluid in the body, automatically the volume of amniotic fluid will also increase.
- Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables Rich in Water
Another way to keep the amniotic fluid insufficient volume is to consume fruits and vegetables that are rich in water content. Besides being useful for maintaining adequate amniotic fluid volume, fruits and vegetables are also useful as sources of good nutrition for the mother and fetus. The following are the types of fruits and vegetables that have a high enough water concentration:
1. Vegetables:
Cucumber (97.7 percent water).
Lettuce (95.6 percent water).
Celery (95.4 percent water).
Radish (95.3 percent water).
Green peppers (93.9 percent water).
2. Fruits:
Watermelon (91.5 percent water).
Starfruit (91.4 percent water).
Strawberry (91.0 percent water).
Oranges (90.5 percent water).
Melon (90.2 percent water).
- Light exercise
If your doctor says that you don’t have to rest all the time, maybe you can do light exercise for at least 35-45 minutes every day. Did you know that exercise can help increase the amount of amniotic fluid? This means that the mother can maintain adequate amniotic fluid volume through exercise. With exercise blood circulation will increase automatically and also increase the production of amniotic fluid and fetal urine in the womb. Mothers can do light exercises such as swimming, aerobics, and walking.
- Lie down to Left Side
However, if your doctor asks you to stay home and rest, you can lie on your left side. Because when lying on the left side, blood will flow more smoothly through the blood vessels, especially the blood vessels around the uterus. This triggers blood flow to the fetus in the womb to be smoother.
The risk of too little amniotic fluid
In some cases, the amniotic fluid that pregnant women have can be too much or too little. If the amount is too low, then the condition is called oligohydramnios. So, what is the danger for mother and baby if the amount of amniotic fluid is too little?
Amniotic fluid is important for the development of muscles, limbs, lungs, and the digestive system. In the second trimester, the baby begins to breathe and swallow fluids to help the lungs grow and mature. Amniotic fluid also provides plenty of room for the baby to move.
Launching to the American Pregnancy Association, oligohydramnios detected in the first trimester of pregnancy can have more serious complications, such as compression of the fetal organs, resulting in birth defects and increasing the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth.
If oligohydramnios is detected in the second trimester of pregnancy, complications can include intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), preterm delivery, labor complications such as umbilical cord compression, meconium-stained fluid, and cesarean delivery.
Various causes of too little amniotic fluid
Then, what causes amniotic fluid to be too little? Here are some reasons that cause pregnant women to have a small amount of amniotic fluid:
1 Problem with organ development.
The emergence of problems with the development of the kidneys or urinary tract causes less urine production, thus affecting the amount of amniotic fluid production.
2 Placental problems.
If the placenta does not provide enough blood and nutrients for the baby, the baby may stop recycling fluids.
3 Leaking or rupture of membranes.
This condition is usually characterized by slow gushing or dripping of liquid. This is due to a tear in the membrane. Premature rupture of membranes can also cause low amounts of amniotic fluid.
4 Post-month pregnancy.
Post-term pregnancy that can be more than 42 weeks can reduce the amount of amniotic fluid in the amniotic sac. This occurs due to decreased function of the placenta.
5 Complications were experienced by the mother.
Factors, such as dehydration, hypertension, preeclampsia, diabetes, and chronic hypoxia can have an effect on the amount of amniotic fluid.
Treatment to Overcome Little Amniotic Water
Treatment for oligohydramnios depends on the gestational age of the mother. If the mother has not had enough months, the doctor will regularly monitor the health condition and the amount of amniotic fluid very carefully. Tests, such as the non-stress and contraction stress test, may be performed to monitor the baby’s activity.
If the mother’s pregnancy is full-term, then the doctor usually recommends the mother undergo labor. Other treatments that may be used include:
- Amniotic infusion during labor via an intrauterine catheter. This extra fluid helps protect the umbilical cord and helps lower the chances of cesarean delivery.
- Injection of fluids before delivery via amniocentesis. Oligohydramnios often returns within a week of the procedure. Even so, this procedure can help the doctor to visualize the anatomy of the fetus and make a diagnosis.
- Hydrate the mother with oral fluids or IV fluids to help increase amniotic fluid levels.
Impact of Oligohydramnios on Babies Already Born
Low amniotic fluid at 32 weeks affects the condition of the amniotic sac. This condition can certainly be at risk of causing growth and development disorders in the baby in the womb. Oligohydramnios that is not treated properly can cause several effects on the baby after birth, such as:
- The distance between the two eyes looks farther.
- Disorders of the baby’s lungs.
- Kidney disorders that cause the amount of urine the baby is born with are very little or no.
Those are some of the risks to watch out for from oligohydramnios in babies. Don’t forget to have regular checkups with your obstetrician at the nearest hospital to prevent a shortage of amniotic fluid.