What is dangerous polyhydramnios during pregnancy?

Amniotic fluid, otherwise known as amniotic fluid, is the fluid that surrounds the fetus during pregnancy. This environment serves to realize many useful functions and gradually grows in volume during the entire gestation period. The normal volume at the time of delivery is the amount of amniotic fluid from 600 to 1500 ml. If the volume of amniotic fluid exceeds the value of 1500 ml, then this leads to a conclusion about such a pathology as polyhydramnios. Most often it is observed in the second half of the period of pregnancy.

Polyhydramnios can be acute and chronic. With acute amniotic fluid volume increases very quickly and sharply, which is extremely dangerous. The whole process takes only a few days or even hours. At the same time, the dimensions of the pregnant belly increase rapidly, pain in the lower back and groin area arises, clearly visible edema of the anterior abdominal wall and tension of the uterine walls. In the case of chronic polyhydramnios, the volume of amniotic fluid grows gradually, however, in this case it can lead to a number of complications.

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Polyhydramnios during pregnancy can lead to severe consequences:

  • More than a third of women experience severe vomiting.
  • In 30% of pregnant women, premature termination of pregnancy occurs.
  • Fetal abnormality is diagnosed in 9% of women.
  • Development of fetoplacental insufficiency is possible, which often leads to chronic hypoxia and fetal loss.
  • The appearance of pathologies in the development of the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract of the child.
  • If polyhydramnios were caused by an infection, then the fetus can also be infected.
  • 41% of pregnant women have bleeding( 42% - with acute form, 7% - with chronic).
  • High probability of development of late gestosis( observed in 18% of women).
  • It is possible that the leg or the handle of the fetus or the umbilical cord may fall out during the delivery.
  • Premature delivery.
  • The need for a cesarean section, because because of the large space inside the uterus, the child can take a wrong position.
  • As a result of overgrowing of the uterus, premature detachment of the placenta, weakness of labor, as well as postpartum hemorrhage and a number of other complications are possible.

How does polyhydramnios affect delivery?

20% of pregnant women who have hydramnios give birth earlier than the due date, as the uterus becomes unable to retain all amniotic fluid and the baby. If you feel that the birth began earlier than 37 weeks, immediately call an ambulance or go to the hospital. Most likely, that you will be sent to the hospital, which specializes in taking premature births and caring for premature babies.

If the birth began on time, then in case of polyhydramnios the doctor should open the fetal bladder at the beginning of the birth process, while the cervix is ​​not open much, because as the opening increases the risk that the amniotic bladder will spontaneously rupture, which can lead to the fall of the stem, the handleOr the umbilical cord of the baby, and the likelihood of improper placement of the fetal head in the small pelvis increases. Because of the large amount of amniotic fluid, the fetus can often occupy an incorrect position and the umbilical cord is often lowered to the vagina in front of the child( so-called umbilical cord prolapse).In this case, it is often necessary to resort to cesarean section.

Premature detachment of the placenta is also possible, if the uterus suddenly begins to contract shortly after the water drains off. In addition, there is a growing risk that severe bleeding will occur after completion of labor.

If a pregnant woman has diabetes and a large fetus, the doctor should carefully monitor how the baby passes the bone pelvis, in order to avoid possible fetal stasis, since large children may rarely get stuck in the shoulder. If this does happen, the specialist will help the woman to change the situation so that the child has more freedom of movement. In some cases, a planned caesarean section may be suggested. These are such cases as the transverse position of the fetus in the uterus, the pregnancy of twins, and also, if the child is large.