What Is Polyhydramnios?

The amount of amniotic fluid during pregnancy is more than 2000ml, which is called polyhydramnios. The incidence is 0.5% to 1%. The amount of amniotic fluid increases sharply within a few days and is called acute polyhydramnios; the amount of amniotic fluid slowly increases over a long period of time and is called chronic polyhydramnios. When there is too much amniotic fluid, there is no difference between the appearance and shape of the amniotic fluid and the normal ones.

Basic Information

English name

hydramnios; polyhydramnios

Visiting department

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Contagious

no

Causes of polyhydramnios

Factors of polyhydramnios include fetal malformation, multiple pregnancy, placental umbilical cord disease, maternal and fetal blood type incompatibility, and maternal comorbidities. However, the etiology of polyhydramnios in most pregnant women is unknown and is called idiopathic polyhydramnios.

1. Fetal malformation: about 1/4. Malformations of the central nervous system and digestive system are the most common.

2. Multiple pregnancy.

3. Placental umbilical cord disease.

4. Incompatible blood type of mother and child.

5. Maternal diseases: diabetes, hypertension, acute viral hepatitis and severe anemia.

Clinical manifestations of polyhydramnios

1. Acute polyhydramnios

Rarely. It usually occurs in the 20 to 24 weeks of pregnancy. The amniotic fluid increases sharply and the uterus increases significantly in a short period of time. It produces a series of symptoms of compression: abdominal distension, inability to move; painful expression; difficulty breathing, cyanosis, and even lying flat.

2. Chronic polyhydramnios

More common. Mostly occur in the third trimester. Amniotic fluid slowly increased within a few weeks, and symptoms were more moderate. No obvious discomfort or slight compression: chest tightness, shortness of breath, and tolerance.

Polyhydramnios check

1. Examination of the abdomen: The skin is shiny and tight. Palpation of the uterus has high tension, unclear fetal position, and distant fetal heart.

2. Ultrasound.

3. Alpha-fetoprotein determination.

4. Blood sugar.

5. Blood type.

6. Fetal chromosome examination.

Diagnosis of polyhydramnios

1. According to clinical manifestations, abdominal examination and ultrasonography: Measure the vertical depth of the largest dark area of amniotic fluid> 7cm; or Amniotic fluid index> 18cm can be confirmed.

2. To further clarify the cause by ultrasound and other tests.

Polyhydramnios treatment

1. It depends on whether the fetus is deformed, the gestational week, and the degree of conscious symptoms of the pregnant woman.

2. Fetal malformations, induction of labor.

3. Combined with normal fetus: Try to extend to 37 weeks. Prostaglandin synthase inhibitor. Etiology treatment.

Prognosis of polyhydramnios

Related to the fetus is normal, gestational week and primary disease.

Polyhydramnios prevention

1. Treatment of pregnant women with complications: such as diabetes, maternal and child blood type incompatibility, hepatitis, and complications such as hypertension during pregnancy.

2. Be alert to umbilical cord prolapse and placental abruption during childbirth.