If you are a loving mother expecting a baby, you have a thousand things on your mind about the baby in your belly. You are very eager to hear what the doctor says after every scan. But if suddenly the doctor says something like "there is a little too much water around the baby", it is very normal to feel very scared and worried. But don't be afraid. Today we are talking about this condition that many mothers can experience, that is, this condition is medically known as `(Polyhydramnios)`.
Simply put, what is Polyhydramnios?
Okay, let's start at the beginning. There's a liquid fluid around your baby in your belly, that is, in your uterus. We call this amniotic fluid . It's like a little swimming pool that protects the baby. This fluid is very important for the baby's growth, movement, and safety.
Polyhydramnios is when there is too much amniotic fluid in the amniotic sac. This condition usually occurs in the second half of pregnancy, but it can sometimes occur as early as 16 weeks. The important thing is that if the increase in fluid is mild, it usually does not cause any complications. Your doctor will monitor you and your baby closely and give you the necessary advice.
How do I know if I have this condition? What are the symptoms?
Most of the time, when this condition is mild, you may not notice any specific symptoms. However, if the amount of water is significantly high, you may experience these symptoms.
| Symptoms you may experience | What is the reason for that? |
|---|---|
| Feeling of abdominal discomfort, tightness, or pain. | Pressure caused by an overly large uterus. |
| Difficulty breathing. | Lung compression by the enlarged uterus. |
| Heartburn. | The uterus pushes the stomach upward. |
| Constipation. | Intestinal pressure by the uterus. |
| Frequent urination. | Pressure on the bladder by the uterus. |
| Swelling of the legs, ankles, and vaginal area. | Blood vessel compression in the lower body. |
How can the doctor doubt this?
When you go to the clinic, the doctor will examine your abdomen. He may be suspicious if he sees things like this:
- If your uterus looks larger than the number of weeks you are pregnant.
- If it is difficult to hear the baby's heartbeat.
- If you can't feel the baby's position properly.
Why does this happen? What are the causes of polyhydramnios?
This is a question that many mothers ask. "Did I do something wrong?" You may wonder. Don't think so. Often, especially when the water level is just a little high, it's hard to find a clear reason.
However, in cases where the amount of water is significantly higher (moderate to severe), it may be due to one or more of the following reasons:
- The baby cannot swallow amniotic fluid: Normally, the baby swallows this fluid, absorbs it into the body, and then passes it out again as urine. This is like a cycle. If the baby has a congenital disorder that interferes with this swallowing process, the fluid can accumulate.
- High blood sugar levels in the mother: Whether you had diabetes before pregnancy or developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy, if your blood sugar levels are not controlled, your baby will urinate more. This can cause an increase in amniotic fluid.
- Having identical twins: Sometimes, a condition called Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS), where blood flow between twins is unbalanced, can cause excess fluid around one baby.
- Rh factor incompatibility: Due to the complications that can occur if the mother's blood is ``Rh-negative'' and the baby's blood is ``Rh-positive''.
- Problems with the baby's heartbeat.
- Infection of the baby in the womb.
The most important thing is to find the cause, whatever it may be, and get the necessary treatment. That's why it's very important to get the tests your doctor recommends right.
How do doctors find this out exactly?
If your doctor suspects this, the main way to confirm it is with an ultrasound scan .
During the scan, he can measure the amount of water in two ways:
1. Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI): This involves mentally dividing your uterus into four sections, measuring the deepest point of the fluid level in each section, and adding all four values.
2. Maximum Vertical Pocket (MPV): This measures only the deepest point of fluid in the uterus.
If these tests confirm that the water content is too high, the doctor may recommend several more tests to find the cause.
- Fetal Echocardiogram: A special scan that looks at the function and structure of the baby's heart.
- Nonstress Test: A test that checks the baby's heartbeat pattern to see if the baby is doing well.
- Biophysical Profile: A scan checks five things, such as the baby's movement and breathing patterns.
- Amniocentesis: Sometimes, a very small amount of fluid is taken from the uterus to check if the baby has a genetic condition.
- Glucose Challenge Test: A test to see if you have diabetes.
What are the treatments for this?
If the water retention is mild and you are in the last half of your pregnancy, most of the time no special treatment is needed . The doctor will just check you and your baby regularly to make sure everything is going well.
However, if the amount of water is significantly higher and you are experiencing more discomfort, treatment may be necessary.
- Treating the underlying cause: For example, if you have diabetes, advice on how to control your blood sugar levels.
- Removing excess fluid: In some cases, a procedure called ``Amnioreduction'' uses a thin tube to remove excess fluid from the uterus.
- Premature delivery: If the baby is fully developed and the mother is experiencing significant discomfort, the doctor may decide to induce labor between 37 and 39 weeks.
What are the risks of polyhydramnios?
First of all, the increase in amniotic fluid does not directly harm the baby. However, there is a small risk of some complications due to the uterus becoming too large.
| Risk/Complication | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Premature birth | Birth of a baby before 37 weeks. |
| Placental abruption | The placenta detaches from the uterine wall before the baby is born. |
| Postpartum hemorrhage | The uterus is too stretched, causing it to not contract properly after delivery. |
| Umbilical cord prolapse | The umbilical cord enters the vagina before the baby after the water breaks. |
| Baby turning breech (Breech position) | Because there is too much space, the baby can move around too much. |
| Stillbirth | This is something that can happen very rarely. |
Don't be afraid of these things. These are just risks. They don't happen to everyone. Your doctor is aware of these risks and will take the necessary steps to prevent them.
Will this affect my delivery?
Most of the time, your baby will be born normally. However, your doctor will continue to monitor your baby's heartbeat during labor. When your water breaks, a large amount of water can come out at once. A pediatrician will examine your baby as soon as he or she is born.
There may be a slight increase in the chance that you will need a cesarean section (C-section), but this will be determined by your doctor based on your and your baby's condition.
What can I do to reduce the discomfort I feel?
It's normal to feel anxious when you find out you have this condition, but you can do these things to get some relief.
- Get plenty of rest: Get as much rest as possible. Don't overexert yourself.
- Relax your mind: Relax your mind by doing something you enjoy, such as meditating or listening to music.
- Talk to the doctor: Talk to the doctor about all your problems and fears. You will feel a lot of relief.
- Be aware of new symptoms: If your stomach suddenly feels bigger or you have increased difficulty breathing, inform your doctor immediately.
Take-Home Message
- Polyhydramnios is an increase in the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby.
- Small increases are very common, and they usually don't cause any harm. They just need to be monitored closely.
- Sometimes no cause can be found, but sometimes it can be caused by the mother's diabetes or a condition in the baby.
- If the amount of water is too high, treatment may be necessary, such as removing the excess fluid or delivering the baby prematurely.
- It is your right to openly discuss any fears or doubts you may have with your doctor.
- Most importantly: Most mothers with polyhydramnios give birth to healthy, happy babies without any complications.
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