Amniotic fluid is a yellow translucent liquid that surrounds the foetus in the amniotic sac. The amount of fluid keeps increasing throughout the gestation period, reaching its maximum in the 34th week with 800 ml of fluid. The fluid helps the baby move in the womb, allows for bone and lung development, prevents pressure on the umbilical cord, maintains a constant temperature around the baby and protects the baby from any injury due to sudden movements in the mother.

The amniotic fluid plays a crucial role in providing the appropriate environment for your baby to grow and develop in your womb. It helps to help your baby move and develop in your womb, protects it from external shocks, protects against infection, and maintains the perfect temperature for your baby to grow. It acts as a protection for your baby and many a time is an indicator for fetal health. Make sure you regularly get the amniotic fluid condition checked by the doctor to ensure that normal levels and healthy amniotic fluid is maintained. 

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How much amniotic fluid do I have during pregnancy?

It depends on how many weeks pregnant you are. You begin making amniotic fluid about 12 days after conception. The amount of amniotic fluid you produce increases until its peak at 34 weeks of pregnancy. After that, your levels of amniotic fluid start decreasing.

The amount of amniotic fluid is highest at about 34 weeks (gestation) into the pregnancy, when it averages 800 mL. About 600 mL of amniotic fluid surrounds the baby at full term (40 weeks gestation). The amniotic fluid constantly moves (circulates) as the baby swallows and "inhales" the fluid, and then releases it.

What are some Amniotic Fluid Abnormalities?

Two issues can happen Oligohydramnios — when there is too little fluid or Polyhydramnios — when there is too much fluid.

Oligohydramnios:

Oligohydramnios is when you have low amniotic fluid during pregnancy. Your doctor diagnoses low amniotic fluid using an ultrasound.

How many women get it?

This happens in 4% of all pregnancies. There is a higher chance of this happening in women who go post the due date.This rate rises to about 12% in women who are past their due date because amniotic fluid levels decrease after 40 weeks of pregnancy.

What level is it?

It happens when the Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI) is less than 5 cm and the Maximum Vertical Pocket (MVP) is less than 2 cm.

What conditions can cause this?

You may have a higher risk of having this if:

• You have hypertension.
• Placenta-related problems.
• Preeclampsia.
• Diabetes.
• Lupus.
• Are carrying twins or triplets.
• Have been diagnosed with birth defects.

Pregnancy risks: While it can happen in any trimester, it is especially concerning if this happens in the last trimester. It can potentially result in a higher risk of birth defects, miscarriage, preterm birth, slow fetal growth and labour complications.

Diagnostic Tests.

Non-stress Test: This measures the baby’s heartbeat.

Biophysical Profiling: An ultrasound will be used to measure the amount of fluid and monitor the baby’s movement.

Fetal Kick Count: This test will measure how many times the baby kicks in a certain time period and the time it takes to kick.

Doppler Studies: Sound waves will be used to check if the baby is getting adequate blood.

Treatment: There is no exact treatment for this. But the doctor may take the decision to induce labour early or undertake an Amnioinfusion (to infuse saline into the uterus). In some cases, a C-section might be necessary.

Polyhydramnios

Polyhydramnios happens when there is too much amniotic fluid around your baby during pregnancy.Having too much fluid can affect how your baby develops.It can be caused by problems with the baby’s swallowing or heart rate, or preexisting diabetes. Your doctor may notice this condition during an ultrasound. In many cases, slight polyhydramnios goes away by itself.

How many women get it?

This happens in only 1% of all pregnancies.

What level is it?

It happens when the Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI) is more than 24 cm and the Maximum Vertical Pocket (MVP) is more than 8 cm.

What conditions can cause this?

You may have a higher risk of having this if you have diabetes or are carrying multiple babies. If your baby has been diagnosed with the following, it can also increase the risk:

• Gastrointestinal Disorders.
• Brain or Nervous System disorders.
• Heart rate problems.
• Lung abnormalities.
• Mismatch of blood between mother and baby.
• In the case of a twin pregnancy, if one child gets more blood than the other.

Symptoms and risks for the mum:

You may notice difficulty in breathing or abdominal pain because your growing uterus is pressing on your other organs.

It can lead to preterm labour, placental abruption, stillbirth, haemorrhage after delivery, the unfavourable position of the foetus or cord prolapse.

Diagnostic Tests: Frequent ultrasounds and monitoring will determine if this is the case.

Treatment: Mild cases will mostly solve themselves without any need for treatment. In extreme cases, there may be a need to reduce the amount of fluid by extracting it through amniocentesis.

How to increase amniotic fluid 

If you have low fluid levels there are many tricks to treat them at home. Walking will help circulation in the placenta region and increase urine output which will, in turn, increase the amniotic fluid. 

• Drinking 10-12 glasses of fluid a day, which may help increase amniotic fluid levels. 
• Sleeping for atleast 8 hours a day, which also helps improve blood circulation.
• Tender coconut water (Narikelodaka) will directly impact levels and ease any indigestion. A liquid diet including wholegrain porridge, milk and milk products are also beneficial.
• Have Watermelon, Cucumber, Lauki, (Squash/Gourd family of veggies), Buttermilk, lemon/lime water with pink salt to improve electrolytes.

Ayurveda says: Follow a Shadrasa Diet.

Research studies show that the mum’s preference for foods will translate to the baby through the amniotic fluid. For example, if the mum likes sour, citrusy foods, then the amniotic fluid will be sour. The baby will ingest this fluid and may develop a similar preference. It is advised that you do not have too much of one type of food. Instead, have food of all tastes; a Shadrasa diet. According to Ayurvedic literature; there are 6 tastes which can regulate and balance the three doshas: Madhura (sweet), Lavana (Salty), Amla (Sour), Katu (Pungent), Tikta (Bitter) and Kasaya (Astringent). Each has its own impact on the body and should be had in equal proportions.

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