Hydramnios

Hydramnios is an excess of amniotic fluid in the uterus during pregnancy.

What is amniotic fluid?

Amniotic fluid is the liquid that surrounds the baby in the womb (uterus).

How is amniotic fluid formed?

It comes from the baby's kidneys, and it goes into the uterus from the baby's urine.

How is amniotic fluid absorbed?

The fluid is absorbed when the baby swallows it and through breathing motions.

Amount of amniotic fluid

The amount of amniotic fluid is greatest at 34 to 36 weeks of pregnancy. Then the amount slowly decreases until the baby is born.

Functions

While in the womb, the baby floats in the amniotic fluid. It surrounds and cushions the infant during pregnancy.

• The amniotic fluid also 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

Etiology of polyhydramnios

• Polyhydramnios can occur if the baby does not swallow and absorb amniotic fluid in normal amounts.
• Health problems such as 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 may also 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.

Diagnosis

There may be increased abdominal size out of proportion for her weight gain and gestation age, uterine size that outpaces gestational age, shiny skin with stria in severe cases, dyspnea, and chest heaviness. Your provider may notice faint fetal heart sounds during the auscultation for the fetal heart sounds.

Treatment

Asymptomatic polyhydramnios is managed expectantly. Antacids may be prescribed to relieve heartburn and nausea. No data support dietary restriction of salt and fluid. Rarely, hospital admission might be required.

Therapeutic amniocentesis

In some cases, amnioreduction, also known as therapeutic amniocentesis, has been used in response to polyhydramnios.

External links

Classification	ICD-10: O40 ICD-9-CM: 657 MeSH: D006831 DiseasesDB: 10319
External resources	MedlinePlus: 003267 eMedicine: radio/566

• 00329 at CHORUS

Hydramnios Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.