Patient's question:
Hello expert, I am about 29 weeks pregnant. Recently, a 3D ultrasound revealed excessive amniotic fluid, and the doctor suspected gestational diabetes, so I underwent blood sugar and urine tests, both of which were normal.I would like to ask, what causes excessive amniotic fluid in cases like mine? What should I pay attention to in this situation?
Additionally, around 28 weeks, the fetus was in a head-down position, but now at 29 weeks, it has turned, with the head moving to the right side of my abdomen and the legs on the left. I would like to know what I can do daily to help the fetus return to a head-down position.
Doctor's answer:
Amniotic fluid volume in normal pregnancies increases with gestational age and gradually decreases starting from the last 2-4 weeks. At full term, the amount of amniotic fluid is approximately 1000 milliliters. Excessive amniotic fluid, defined as a volume exceeding 2000 milliliters in the later stages of pregnancy, is referred to as polyhydramnios. Based on the onset time and rate of fluid accumulation, it is classified as acute or chronic. Acute polyhydramnios typically occurs between weeks 16-24 and is abrupt in onset, while chronic polyhydramnios develops gradually over weeks in the later stages of pregnancy.The management of polyhydramnios primarily depends on whether the fetus has abnormalities and the severity of maternal compression symptoms. If compression symptoms are severe or the fetus has abnormalities, immediate termination of pregnancy with artificial membrane rupture and induction of labor is recommended. If the fetus is normal and symptoms are mild with no significant maternal discomfort, a low-sodium diet and sedatives may be used as needed, along with close monitoring of amniotic fluid changes until full-term delivery.