Moderate shallow pregnancy

Amniotic fluid is needed to ensure normal fetal development. For the future baby, it is a comfortable physiological environment, an additional source of nutrition and oxygen, as well as a protective barrier that protects him from numerous external threats. In addition, an important role amniotic fluid plays in the process of childbirth, forcing the opening of the cervix, as it can have a mechanical effect on it.

therefore relative lack of water can lead to various violations of fetal development and interfere with the normal course of pregnancy. What is dangerous low water? What are the different degrees of this condition, and which therapeutic method is most effective in this situation?

Indicators of the normal volume of amniotic fluid vary depending on the specific gestational age. During the first 8 weeks this is approximately 5 ml. Further, the amount of fluid begins to increase, and by the end of pregnancy, its total volume reaches an average of 1-1.5 liters. Immediately before the birth of water becomes less (their volume is about 600-700 ml).

The composition of the amniotic fluid (from the word "amnion" - fetal sac) includes amino acids, vitamins, hormones, trace elements, some types of salts, enzymes, etc.

Amniotic fluid is formed by the functioning of the epithelial layer of the cells of the water shell of the amnion. They are constantly updated. In the extreme stages of pregnancy, this happens at least every 3 hours.

On average, the fetus has the ability to swallow 4 ml of amniotic fluid per day, and the products of its vital activity enter the maternal excretory system through the pores of the fetal sac. When an uncritical "shift" from the normal indicators of the volume of amniotic fluid (closer to the lower limit of the norm), moderate oligohydramnios are diagnosed to a pregnant woman.

It happens that this condition is registered already in the initial stages of pregnancy. A similar diagnosis is made on the basis of the calculation of the low-water index. In this case, the woman needs constant medical supervision and the use of certain methods of drug therapy.

The reasons for the formation of such a violation can be:

• persistent hypertension (increased blood pressure);
• the presence in the body of a pregnant woman of any inflammatory process of an infectious nature;
• placental insufficiency;
• hypoxia (oxygen "starvation") of the fetus;

• metabolic disorders of a pregnant woman;
• the presence of any abnormalities in the fetus (underdevelopment of the excretory system will lead to a sharp decrease in the level of production of primary urine, which leads to a reduction in the volume of amniotic fluid);
• prolonged pregnancy - the placenta is amenable to reverse development, therefore, it is no longer able to provide the fetus with all the necessary substances, including producing a sufficient amount of amniotic waters;
• multiple pregnancy - there may be a violation of the process of distribution of placental blood, which can also lead to water deficiency;
• violation of secretion in epithelial cells of the water shell of the amnion.

According to the duration of the flow, two types of low water are distinguished: acute and chronic.

Chronic malnutrition has several levels of development. This condition requires prolonged therapy. If qualified assistance is not provided in time, the disease will worsen, which will lead to serious consequences both for the expectant mother and for the child.

Chronic amniotic fluid deficiency can occur if a pregnant woman suffers from a systemic illness, such as diabetes.

The most common cause of acute malnutrition is an infectious disease. This form of pathology leaves fewer negative consequences for the health of the baby and does not need special treatment, as the situation usually stabilizes with the successful elimination of the disease that caused it.

In addition, lack of water is classified according to the functional activity of the water-shell cells. According to this principle, distinguish primary and secondary forms. Primary malnutrition is characterized by the absence of any functional disorders in the fetal membranes. In secondary water deficiency, there is damage to the structure of the amnion, as a result of which water flows out.

Quite often, the clinical picture of moderate shallow water has no pronounced manifestations (therefore, this state in some cases can be regarded as borderline with the norm). However, some of the signs characteristic of this condition, a pregnant woman should pay attention if they occur. Among these symptoms are:

• lower abdominal pain;
• painful tremors;
• weak and rare tremors;
• the size of the uterus does not correspond to the gestational age (detected by an obstetrician-gynecologist).

An insufficient amount of amniotic fluid can be the impetus for the development of a number of complications, among which:

• Violation of blood flow in the umbilical cord. Because of this, the baby does not get enough oxygen and food. Persistent hypoxia can trigger the development of irreversible disorders in a child and even lead to his death.
• "Malfunction" of the circulation of amniotic fluid. Such a condition can lead to the accession of infection, as well as significantly increases the likelihood of traumatic delivery.
• Flat amnion. This complication may provoke a weakening of labor in the first stage of labor.
• Placental abruption. Small fragments of the placenta linger in the uterus, which increases the risk of bleeding.
• Underdevelopment of the fetus. If in the process of prenatal development, the child regularly lacked the necessary amount of nutrients and trace elements, then his birth weight will be less than normal.

The main methods of instrumental diagnostics used by the doctor to determine the volume of amniotic fluid are ultrasound and Doppler sonography. With their help, you can assess the umbilical blood flow, how far the child is lagging behind in development, as well as the state of the vessels of the future mother and fetus.

In addition, in addition to the study of the functional ability of the cardiovascular system of the baby, a cardiotocography may be appointed by the obstetrician-gynecologist. When established moderate deficiency in the third trimester This study is conducted at 30, 32, 34, and 36 weeks of gestation.

Correction of this state should be carried out in several directions:

• administration of drugs that normalize the metabolic processes in the placenta;
• drug therapy of the underlying disease.

If a pregnant woman suffers from any disease associated with metabolic disorders, or is overweight, then, most likely, a specialist observing pregnancy will recommend to follow a special diet.

Moderate low water usually does not need constant observation in a hospital, it is possible to normalize the future state on an outpatient basis.

In addition to drug therapy, with moderate low water, the expectant mother must comply with certain restrictions regarding her physical activity. She also needs to ensure that her daily diet contains foods rich in vitamins and trace elements.

In many ways, the decisive role in drawing up a treatment plan is the duration of pregnancy. This pathology requires the most careful control in the 2nd trimester. If oligohydramnios is diagnosed at week 37, then this may be an indication for cesarean section.

Currently, no effective methods have been developed to prevent the risk of the development of low water. But there are a number of recommendations, the exact implementation of which will help a pregnant woman to reduce the risk of this pathology.

Plays an important role diet of the future mother. It must be rich in all the elements (vitamins, proteins, trace elements and other valuable substances) necessary for the normal development of the fetus and ensuring a satisfactory state of the pregnant woman.

For the future mother and the health of her baby is very useful to observe balanced mode of physiological loads and rest. Labor should be moderate, as excessive overwork can have a detrimental effect on the health of the woman and her baby.

One of the main factors determining the nature of the course of pregnancy and the success of delivery is emotional background of a woman. The presence of stress and regular mental overload dramatically increases the risk of developing any associated complications, including low water. A pregnant woman must undergo all the examinations prescribed by the doctor on time.

These recommendations will help reduce the risk of not only low water, but also other pathologies of pregnancy.

Moderate malnutrition is formed against the background of some pathologies of fetal development of the child or the diseases of a pregnant woman. Its distinguishing feature is the absence of pronounced symptomatology. With timely therapy This deviation does not pose a great threat to the normal development of the fetus and the health of the expectant mother. It is important to have a period in which moderate low water was diagnosed, since such a violation can have consequences for different periods of pregnancy.

Next, we recommend to watch a video in which the gynecologist will talk about what is lack of water and whether this diagnosis is terrible.