Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentLabor and DeliveryCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Labor and Delivery
Coping
If your healthcare provider diagnoses you with polyhydramnios you can expect a few extra checkups throughout your pregnancy to monitor for any signs of complications. But usually polyhydramnios isn’t a cause for concern, and some mild cases may even completely resolve on their own.
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Symptoms of Polyhydramnios
In most cases, there are no symptoms or only mild symptoms with polyhydramnios. The amniotic fluid builds up slowly and many people barely notice the excess fluid building up. Many of the mild symptoms of polyhydramnios are common in typical pregnancies and go unnoticed.
Symptoms of polyhydramnios include:
Polyhydramnios can appear at any point during pregnancy. When it develops early, there are higher chances of developing more serious complications.
In more severe cases, there is the risk for:
What It Means to Have Leaking Amniotic Fluid
The cause of polyhydramnios isn’t always clear. In mild cases only 17% were associated with an underlying disease.
Even though the exact cause of this condition can be difficult to know, there are a few causes that increase the risk of developing polyhydramnios.
Potential causes of polyhydramnios:
Polyhydramnios is diagnosed during an ultrasound. It should be suspected if yourfundal heightin centimeters is more than three greater than your gestational age. Sometimes an additional ultrasound is ordered to give a more detailed evaluation of amniotic fluid volumes.
Single Deepest Pocket Measurement
Single deepest pocket measurement provides a simple approach to diagnosing polyhydramnios and is commonly used. A medical provider will use an ultrasound to view four quadrants of the womb and measure the largest pocket of fluid.
It can also be diagnosed with an amniotic fluid index (AFI) greater than or equal to 24. In calculating the AFI, the pockets are measured in all four quadrants and added together.
If the pockets are smaller than 2 centimeters then there is low amniotic fluid, and greater than 8 centimeters is considered high amniotic fluid.
Determining SeverityThis method is also used to determine the severity:Mild casesare between 8 to 11.9 centimetersModeratecases are between 12 to 15.9 centimetersSevere caseshave pockets of 16 centimeters and above
Determining Severity
This method is also used to determine the severity:Mild casesare between 8 to 11.9 centimetersModeratecases are between 12 to 15.9 centimetersSevere caseshave pockets of 16 centimeters and above
This method is also used to determine the severity:
When polyhydramnios is diagnosed, your healthcare provider will likely request other tests to identify any underlying conditions.
Your treatment plan will depend on if any underlying conditions need to be treated. If you are diagnosed with a condition like diabetes that may be causing your increased amniotic fluid, diet changes and possibly medication will be recommended to control it.
People diagnosed with polyhydramnios can expect more careful monitoring of fetal development, position, and amniotic fluid volume.
It’s recommended that pregnant people diagnosed with polyhydramnios give birth in a hospital. This allows easy access to medical attention if any complications develop while giving birth or during labor.
Yourwater may breakearly because of the increased pressure of the excess fluids. And you’ll likely pass a larger than average volume of fluid when your water does break, but this is to be expected.
If you’ve been diagnosed with polyhydramnios, try not to worry and remember that it isn’t normally a sign of any serious complications.
Talk with your healthcare provider or midwife about your birthing plan and any concerns that you have. Having a plan in place in case your water breaks or you go into labor early could help you feel more comfortable.
When to Seek Emergency CareIf you have a sudden large increase in the size of your stomach, contact your healthcare provider for medical advice.
When to Seek Emergency Care
If you have a sudden large increase in the size of your stomach, contact your healthcare provider for medical advice.
A Word From Verywell
Most people who have polyhydramnios only have mild symptoms and deliver healthy babies.
Any diagnosis during pregnancy can add anxiety and stress. Getting support from your loved ones and your healthcare team can help you navigate your pregnancy.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Polyhydramnios.Cleveland Clinic.Polyhydramnios.Hamza A, Herr D, Solomayer EF, Meyberg-Solomayer G.Polyhydramnios: causes, diagnosis and therapy.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2013;73(12):1241-1246. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1360163
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Polyhydramnios.Cleveland Clinic.Polyhydramnios.Hamza A, Herr D, Solomayer EF, Meyberg-Solomayer G.Polyhydramnios: causes, diagnosis and therapy.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2013;73(12):1241-1246. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1360163
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Polyhydramnios.Cleveland Clinic.Polyhydramnios.Hamza A, Herr D, Solomayer EF, Meyberg-Solomayer G.Polyhydramnios: causes, diagnosis and therapy.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2013;73(12):1241-1246. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1360163
MedlinePlus.Polyhydramnios.
Cleveland Clinic.Polyhydramnios.
Hamza A, Herr D, Solomayer EF, Meyberg-Solomayer G.Polyhydramnios: causes, diagnosis and therapy.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2013;73(12):1241-1246. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1360163
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