What is considered polyhydramnios by ultrasound?

If the initial ultrasound shows evidence of polyhydramnios, your health care provider may do a more detailed ultrasound. He or she will estimate the amniotic fluid volume (AFV) by measuring the single largest, deepest pocket of fluid around your baby. An AFV value of 8 centimeters or more suggests polyhydramnios.

What can cause polyhydramnios?

Causes of polyhydramnios

a twin or multiple pregnancy.
diabetes in the mother – including diabetes caused by pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
a blockage in the baby’s gut (gut atresia)
an infection during pregnancy.
the baby’s blood cells being attacked by the mother’s blood cells (rhesus disease)

What is classed as severe polyhydramnios?

Based on AFI values obtained during prenatal screening, some clinicians categorize polyhydramnios into three groups according to severity: mild polyhydramnios (AFI of 25–30 cm), moderate polyhydramnios (30.1–35 cm) and severe polyhydramnios (≥ 35.1 cm) 87.

What are the symptoms of polyhydramnios?

Symptoms

Shortness of breath or the inability to breathe.
Swelling in the lower extremities and abdominal wall.
Uterine discomfort or contractions.
Fetal malposition, such as breech presentation.

When is polyhydramnios usually diagnosed?

Polyhydramnios is diagnosed by ultrasound, but not usually at the routine 20-week screening ultrasound. That’s because signs and symptoms of the condition tend not to develop until later in the pregnancy.

Should I be worried about polyhydramnios?

Most cases of polyhydramnios are mild and generally not dangerous. They’re due to a gradual buildup of amniotic fluid in the second half of pregnancy. Rarely, polyhydramnios can cause complications.

What happens when you have a lot of amniotic fluid?

Women with polyhydramnios may experience premature contractions, longer labor, difficulties breathing, and other problems during delivery. The condition can also cause complications for the fetus, including anatomical problems, malposition, and, in severe cases, death. Treatment aims to remove excess amniotic fluid.

Does polyhydramnios mean Down syndrome?

Polyhydramnios is also associated with various genetic disorders, including Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) and Edward’s syndrome (Trisomy 18), but only when the baby also has a duodenal atresia or other blockage in the gastrointestinal tract.

Can polyhydramnios cause stillbirth?

As a worst case scenario, too much amniotic fluid is associated with an increased risk of stillbirth. In pregnancies involving normal amniotic fluid levels, 2 out of 1,000 babies are stillborn. With polyhydramnios, it’s 4 out of 1,000 – but that still means that 996 of those 1000 are born alive.