Patient's question:
Doctor,Hello!
I am 22 weeks pregnant, and my ultrasound shows an amniotic fluid index of 71:mm, with the deepest measurement being 26:mm. Everything else is normal. Could this mean my baby might have a malformation? What should I do and what precautions should I take?
First follow-up question: The baby's other tests are normal, and the fetal movements are also normal.
Doctor's answer:
HelloExcessive or insufficient amniotic fluid: In the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, if a pregnant woman has less amniotic fluid, due to the close contact between the fetal skin and the amniotic membrane, she will feel pain every time the fetus moves;
1. Amniotic fluid index (AFI) 8-20 cm is normal amniotic fluid volume. 2. Amniotic fluid depth (DVP) 3-8 cm is normal amniotic fluid volume. 3. AFI = 4 DVPs added together
Amniotic fluid helps stabilize the temperature inside the uterus, protects the fetus from harm, and has a mild lysozyme effect. As labor approaches, amniotic fluid can significantly alleviate the pressure caused by uterine contractions, preventing the delicate head and neck of the fetus from being compressed. Amniotic fluid can also keep the amniotic membrane taut, preventing premature placental separation.
However, there should be a certain degree of moderation in amniotic fluid; both excess and insufficient amounts can cause problems. Excessive amniotic fluid often indicates the presence of abnormalities in the fetus or mother, such as fetal malformations like anencephaly, spina bifida, or omphalocele, or it could be due to twins, pregnancy complicated by diabetes, Rh incompatibility between mother and fetus, or a large placenta. Insufficient amniotic fluid, on the other hand, directly affects the fetus at the slightest disturbance, failing to provide a protective barrier. When the uterus contracts, the pressure inside directly acts on the placenta and fetus, which can further affect placental and umbilical blood circulation, leading to insufficient oxygen supply to the fetus and even fetal asphyxiation or death. Insufficient amniotic fluid can also directly delay labor.
If a pregnant woman with excessive amniotic fluid has no symptoms, close monitoring should be maintained for her condition. Once symptoms appear, timely treatment should be administered. For moderate cases of excessive amniotic fluid, dietary restrictions (such as a low-salt diet), diuretic medications, and traditional Chinese medicine