what are low levels of amniotic fluid?
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Low amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios) is a condition in which the amniotic fluid measures lower than expected for a baby's gestational age. No treatment has been proved effective long term. But short-term improvement of amniotic fluid is possible and might be done in certain circumstances.
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An ultrasound can help doctors check how much fluid is surrounding the baby. They may also perform a dye test, which involves introducing blue dye into the amniotic sac and asking the woman to wear a sanitary pad. If the dye shows up on the pad, this can indicate leaking amniotic fluid.
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For the first half of pregnancy, amniotic fluid is made up of water from your body. During the second half of pregnancy, the amniotic fluid is made from — wait for it — your baby's urine.
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Symptoms of leaking amniotic fluid You can tell whether you're leaking amniotic fluid and not urine by taking the sniff test: If it doesn't smell like ammonia, it's more likely to be amniotic fluid. If it has an ammonia scent, it's probably urine. If it has a somewhat sweet smell, it's probably amniotic fluid.
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Drink more fluids Anytime during your pregnancy, drinking a lot of water can make a huge difference. According to one study , hydration is very helpful for upping amniotic fluid levels in women between 37 and 41 weeks of pregnancy.
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The fluid (known as amniotic fluid) is a clear or pinkish colour. Sometimes the fluid may be a green-brown colour or slightly blood-stained. The amount of fluid you lose may vary from a trickle to a gush.
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You may notice a 'gush' of fluid or you may feel damp. The fluid (known as amniotic fluid) is a clear or pinkish colour. Sometimes the fluid may be a green-brown colour or slightly blood-stained. The amount of fluid you lose may vary from a trickle to a gush.
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Causes of Amniotic Fluid Leakage The most common cause of amniotic fluid leakage is labour. However, the amniotic fluid can leak during the second trimester due to many reasons. Labour causes a spontaneous rupture of membranes (SROM) which facilitates delivery.
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If there are very low levels of amniotic fluid for your baby to float around in, there is a slight risk of intrauterine growth restriction and umbilical cord constriction during birth. You may also be more likely to have a C-section.
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Normal amniotic fluid is clear or tinted yellow. Fluid that looks green or brown usually means that the baby has passed his first bowel movement (meconium) while in the womb.
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Amniotic fluid is clear and a pale straw colour. Sometimes it's difficult to tell the difference between amniotic fluid from wee. The water may be a little bloodstained to begin with.
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Is it my water breaking or is it discharge? Amniotic fluid is a pale, straw-colored fluid. Vaginal discharge, on the other hand, is a thin, milky-white mucus that's similar to (but heavier than) what you might experience between periods.
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Thankfully, telling the difference between the two is usually pretty easy. When the discharge is amniotic fluid, it feels like a steady trickle or gush, with more of a light yellowish tint than a white one, and a thinner consistency than that of leukorrhea.
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Having low amniotic fluid (the medical term for this condition is oligohydramnios), indicates the amount of fluid measures lower than expected for your baby's gestational age.
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Amniotic fluid doesn't usually smell and is usually colourless (although it may contain specks of mucus or blood). Urine, however, tends to leak when you cough, laugh, sneeze or move suddenly, even if you're lying down. It can be clear, or straw coloured but usually has a distinctive odour.
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Increasing water intake It found that women who increased their water intake, by roughly 2 liters over 2 hours, or had intravenous fluid, increased their levels of amniotic fluid. Researchers need further evidence to know if increasing amniotic fluid in this way improves the health of the fetus.
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(If you can't tell if you're leaking amniotic fluid, take the sniff test: Urine smells like ammonia; amniotic fluid has a sweeter smell, or if it's infected, it'll have a more foul smell.) If you are diagnosed with chorioamnionitis, you will likely be prescribed antibiotics to wipe out the bacteria.