The most common causes of polyhydramnios are:. Maternal diabetes You can end up with high fluid levels if you have diabetes and you're having trouble managing it properly. That's because you're probably carrying a large baby as a result of your diabetes. Polyhydramnios is diagnosed in about 10 percent of pregnant diabetics, usually in the third trimester.
Carrying twins or multiples You're at risk for high fluid levels if you're carrying twins or multiples because, again, they will produce more fluid than a single baby. Polyhydramnios is especially likely in the case of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, in which one twin has too little amniotic fluid while the other has too much.
Genetic abnormalities Babies with very high fluid levels are more likely to have a genetic abnormality such as Down syndrome. Fetal abnormalities In rare cases, a baby will have a medical problem or birth defect that causes him to stop swallowing fluid while his kidneys continue to produce more. This may include any condition that makes it hard for him to swallow, such as pyloric stenosis , a cleft lip or palate, or some kind of blockage in the gastrointestinal tract.
Certain neurological problems, such as with a neural tube defect or hydrocephaly, can keep the baby from swallowing as well. Fetal anemia In even rarer cases, polyhydramnios can be a sign that the baby has severe anemia caused by an Rh blood incompatibility or an infection such as fifth disease. In both cases, the problem can be treated with a blood transfusion in utero. A baby with fifth disease may recover without treatment. Infection during pregnancy. Some maternal infections, such as toxoplasmosis and syphilis , can lead to polyhydramnios.
Most cases of polyhydramnios are mild and generally not dangerous. They're due to a gradual buildup of amniotic fluid in the second half of pregnancy. Rarely, polyhydramnios can cause complications. The more excess amniotic fluid you have and the earlier in pregnancy you have polyhydramnios, the more chance of complications. It can put you and your baby at increased risk for:.
If you're diagnosed with polyhydramnios, your practitioner will order a high-resolution ultrasound to check for abnormalities and possibly amniocentesis to test for a genetic defect and infections. You'll also need to have regular nonstress tests or ultrasounds for the rest of your pregnancy to monitor your baby's development. And you'll be watched closely for signs of preterm labor. If you haven't yet been tested for gestational diabetes this test is usually given between 24 and 28 weeks , you'll be tested now.
Women with polyhydramnios often have no signs or symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can include difficulty breathing, premature contractions, or, if polyhydramnios is severe, pain in the abdomen. A woman can usually tell that her belly is growing very quickly. Sometimes, a doctor may find no cause for polyhydramnios.
In these cases, they would describe the cause as idiopathic. Research has linked polyhydramnios to an increased risk of certain complications for both the woman and baby. Doctors diagnose polyhydramnios before the baby is born. To make a diagnosis, they will perform an ultrasound examination. Using ultrasound waves, they measure the amount of amniotic fluid in the womb and look for any fetal abnormalities. Doctors can also test the woman for issues that can cause polyhydramnios. These tests may include:.
To treat polyhydramnios, doctors try to reduce the amount of amniotic fluid in the womb. Polyhydramnios can increase the risk of complications, so doctors usually monitor the fetus carefully, beginning at 32 weeks of pregnancy. Polyhydramnios is the medical term for having too much amniotic fluid in the womb. If you're diagnosed with polyhydramnios, your health care provider will carefully monitor your pregnancy to help prevent complications.
Treatment depends on the severity of the condition. Mild polyhydramnios may go away on its own. Severe polyhydramnios may require closer monitoring. Polyhydramnios symptoms result from pressure being exerted within the uterus and on nearby organs. Mild polyhydramnios may cause few — if any — signs or symptoms. Severe polyhydramnios may cause:. Your health care provider may also suspect polyhydramnios if your uterus is excessively enlarged and he or she has trouble feeling the baby.
The earlier that polyhydramnios occurs in pregnancy and the greater the amount of excess amniotic fluid, the higher the risk of complications. Most babies whose mothers have polyhydramnios will be healthy. Speak to your doctor or midwife if you're concerned or have any questions. Page last reviewed: 04 May Next review due: 04 May Polyhydramnios too much amniotic fluid. Too much amniotic fluid is normally spotted during a check-up in the later stages of pregnancy. Will I have a healthy pregnancy and baby?
But there is a slightly increased risk of pregnancy and birth complications, such as: giving birth prematurely before 37 weeks your waters breaking early a problem with the position of the umbilical cord prolapsed umbilical cord heavy bleeding after your baby is born because your womb has stretched your baby having a health condition You'll need extra check-ups to look for these problems.
Symptoms of polyhydramnios Polyhydramnios tends to develop gradually and there may not be noticeable symptoms.
Some women have symptoms like: breathlessness heartburn constipation swollen ankles and feet These can be common problems for pregnant women and are not necessarily caused by polyhydramnios.
0コメント