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Low Ambiotic Fluid

My daughter is in her 35th week of pregnancy.  The MD's have said that the sonograms have been showing low to low-normal ambiotic fluid.  They say they are watching it becuase it maybe or could become an unhelathy environment for the baby.  What do they mean by unhealthy environment ?  What impact on the baby can this low ambiotic fluid have ?

Thank you - A Concerned Father and Grandfather.
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342988 tn?1299782356
what they mean is it might be safer outside the mother than inside if it is unhealthy.  so they might deliver her a little early if the fluid gets lower.
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Avatar universal
Thank you very much for this useful information.

knollwood
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400885 tn?1297698918
Ok I didn't know anything about this but I just looked it up here's what I got:

What causes low amniotic fluid?
Birth defects – Problems with the development of the kidneys or urinary tract which could cause little urine production, leading to low levels of amniotic fluid.

Placental problems – If the placenta is not providing enough blood and nutrients to the baby, then the baby may stop recycling fluid.

Leaking or rupture of membranes –This may be a gush of fluid or a slow constant trickle of fluid. This is due to a tear in the membrane. Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) can also result in low amniotic fluid levels.

Post Date Pregnancy- A post date pregnancy (one that goes over 42 weeks) can have low levels of amniotic fluid, which could be a result of declining placental function.

Maternal Complications- Factors such as maternal dehydration, hypertension, preeclampsia, diabetes, and chronic hypoxia can have an effect on amniotic fluid levels.

What are the risks of having low amniotic fluid?
The risks associated with oligohydramnios often depend on the gestation of the pregnancy. The amniotic fluid is essential for the development of muscles, limbs, lungs, and the digestive system. In the second trimester, the baby begins to breathe and swallow the fluid to help their lungs grow and mature. The amniotic fluid also helps the baby develop muscles and limbs by providing plenty of room to move around. If oligohydramnios is detected in the first half of pregnancy, the complications can be more serious and include:

Compression of fetal organs resulting in birth defects
Increased chance of miscarriage or stillbirth
If oligohydramnios is detected in the second half of pregnancy, complications can include:

Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)
Preterm birth
Labor complications such as cord compression, meconium stained fluid and cesarean delivery
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