Complication and Prevention of Oligohydramnios
What is Oligohydramnios?
Oligohydramnios is a medical condition characterized by a lower-than-normal amount of amniotic fluid in the amniotic sac during pregnancy. Amniotic fluid is crucial for the fetus’s development as it cushions the baby, helps maintain a constant temperature, and is necessary for lung and digestive system development.
Prevention of Oligohydramnios:
Prevention is not possible in the idiopathic cases. However, taking certain measures may reduce its risks-
- Consulting the doctor before taking any medications as well as vitamin or herbal supplements.
- Following a proper healthy diet (especially for women suffering from diabetes).
- Drinking enough fluids to prevent dehydration. Regular exercise.
- Giving up smoking. Visiting the doctor for regular check-ups to detect any fetal abnormality.
You can follow: Causes, Diagnosis and Symptoms of Oligohydramnios
Complications of Oligohydramnios:
- Fetal:
- Abortion
- Fetal deformity (alteration in shape of the skull, club foot).
- Fetal compression syndrome. Fetal pulmonary hypoplasia, cord compression. Answer Increased fetal mortality.
- Increased risk of fetal infections (in case of prolonged amniotic membrane rupture).
- Mother:
- Prolonged labor.
- Increased operative interference.
- Pulmonary hypoplasia.
- Amniotic band syndrome,
Consequences of Oligohydramnios:
- Oligohydramnios occurring during the first and the second trimester is more likely to cause serious complications than when it occurs during the third trimester.
Birth Defects: Malformation or complete absence of some external or internal organs in the newborn (hip dysplasia, club foot).
Premature Birth: Delivery before completing 37th week of pregnancy. Miscarriage: Death of the baby in the uterus before twenty weeks of pregnancy.
Stillbirth: Death of the baby in the uterus after twenty weeks of pregnancy.
Death of the baby shortly after birth.
Oligohydramnios can lead to the following problems when occurring during the third trimester:
- Fetal growth restrictions.
- Complications like an umbilical cord compression during labor or at the time of birth (the umbilical cord is responsible for carrying oxygen and food to the fetus, so its compression prevents the baby from getting enough nutrition and oxygen).
- Cesarean delivery (a surgical method to bring the baby out through a cut in the mother’ s abdomen and uterus).
More questions related to this article:
- Define oligohydramnios.
- What do you mean by oligohydramnios?
- What is oliamnios?
- How to prevent oligohydramnios?
- What is the prevention of oligohydramnios?
- What are the Complications of oligohydramnios?
- What problems can occur from oligohydramnios?
- What are the consequences of oligohydramnios?
