![]() If you're found to have low levels of amniotic fluid in your first or second trimester, it may mean that your baby has a birth defect. Being two weeks or more past your due date can put you at risk for oligohydramnios. (This is usually the case if the leaking happens after an amniocentesis.)ĭecreased amniotic fluid is one of the risks of post term pregnancy. Occasionally, a tear in the sac will heal on its own, the leaking will stop, and the fluid level will return to normal. Let your practitioner know if you suspect your amniotic fluid is leaking.Ī ruptured membrane can increase the risk of infection for both you and your baby because it provides a way for bacteria to enter the amniotic sac. You may notice the leaking fluid yourself if you find that your underwear is wet, or your practitioner may discover it during an exam. This can happen at any point in your pregnancy, but it's more common as you approach delivery. Less common causes of oligohydramnios include:Ī small tear in your amniotic membranes can allow some fluid to leak out. If the placenta doesn't supply enough blood and nutrients to your baby, he will stop producing urine. She may also be on the lookout for it if you've previously had a baby whose growth was restricted or if you have certain pregnancy complications (see maternal complications, below), or if you're past your due date.Ī problem with your placenta, such as a partial abruption, in which the placenta peels away from the inner wall of the uterus, can lead to low levels of amniotic fluid. Your practitioner may suspect this problem if you're leaking fluid, measuring small for your stage of pregnancy, or not feeling your baby move very much. How will I know if I have low amniotic fluid? Sometimes, though, this system breaks down, resulting in either too much or too little fluid – both of which can present problems. So your baby plays an important role in keeping just the right amount of fluid in the amniotic sac. ![]() (Yes, this means that most of the fluid is eventually your baby's urine!) Early in the second trimester, your baby starts to swallow the fluid, pass it through their kidneys, and excrete it as urine, which they then swallow again, recycling the full volume of amniotic fluid every few hours. It helps the digestive and respiratory systems develop as your baby swallows and excretes it and "inhales" and "exhales" it from their lungs.ĭuring the first 14 weeks of your pregnancy, fluid passes from your circulatory system into the amniotic sac.It allows your baby to move around so their muscles and bones develop properly.It helps maintain a constant temperature in the womb.It prevents the umbilical cord from becoming compressed, which would reduce your baby's oxygen supply.It cushions your baby to protect them from trauma (if you take a tumble, for instance).
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