Scant Amniotic Fluid: Is It a Problem?The amniotic fluid is an essential fluid which protects, helps develop and nourishes the baby inside the womb. This is why it is very important that the levels of amniotic fluid inside the mother are normal. But if the measure of the fluid is small compared to the standard during a specific time of the pregnancy, it might cause some pregnancy complications that could harm you and your baby. To diagnose scant amniotic fluid, an ultrasound should be done which will measure the level of fluid which fills up the sac which protects the baby. As of today, experts have not yet concluded what really causes the woman’s amniotic fluid to be at very low levels, but what they know is that this complication usually happens when the delivery date is near or when a mother is overdue. Some experts claim that the low level of amniotic fluids inside the mother’s body is caused by ruptured membranes. When the amniotic membrane has a tear, the fluids leak, causing it levels to go down. One of the symptoms of ruptured membranes is when the woman feels that her underwear is wet all the time. A torn amniotic membrane is dangerous because bacteria might enter the torn sac which puts the baby and the mother at risk for certain infections. Other known causes of low levels of amniotic fluid inside a mother’s body include fetal abnormalities, multiple pregnancy, medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and preeclampsia which are diagnosed during pregnancy, and certain placental problems. Read more of our articles on pregnancy complications
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