Polyhydramnios: Can Too Much Amniotic Fluid Be a Serious Issue?

Amniotic fluid plays a very important role in a baby’s health and development during pregnancy, helping the baby grow and move while also protecting it from being injured before birth. If levels of amniotic fluid aren’t where they should be, it can potentially cause complications. Oligohydramnios is a condition where amniotic fluid levels are too low, which can lead to problems like premature birth, infection, impaired growth, and an increased risk of complications during labor and delivery. But what about having too much amniotic fluid?

Polyhydramnios refers to when amniotic levels are higher than normal. It’s a rather uncommon condition, occurring in about 1-2% of pregnancies. Very often, it’s not clear what causes polyhydramnios, but it has been linked to birth defects, fetal anemia, maternal diabetes, and blood type compatibility issues between the mother and baby, also known as Rh-factor.

Complications with Polyhydramnios

Very often, children born in pregnancies that involve polyhydramnios go on to be very healthy without any long-term complications. When polyhydramnios does occur, there are options doctors may be able to use to treat the situation. However, there is a risk of some potential complications with polyhydramnios. 

Polyhydramnios can lead to a higher chance of being born prematurely, which can come with a higher risk of the baby experiencing injuries during delivery. There is also an increased risk of complications with the umbilical cord and placenta, such as placental abruption and umbilical cord prolapse – both of which can be very dangerous if doctors don’t intervene quickly enough. 

High levels of amniotic fluid can also make it more likely that the baby will be in a breech position There’s also a chance that fetal macrosomia can occur, which is when the baby grows to be too large. All of these situations can either make a C-section necessary or more likely and C-sections come with their own risks for complications. 

Contact a Michigan Birth Trauma Lawyer

If your child was injured during or shortly after birth, don’t hesitate to contact a birth trauma lawyer for help. Many birth trauma cases involve injuries that have long-term effects on the child’s health and it’s very important to make sure all of your child’s needs will be met, both today and in the future. 

At Scott Goodwin Law, we’re experienced in helping people who have been in your shoes and helping them get the justice they deserve. Sometimes, signs of birth trauma take time to show and even if your child is a few years old, you may still have legal options. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can help you.

Image: iStock / Orbon Alija