Your doctor may want to see you more often.

Or you may be given fluids through an intravenous (I.V.) needle into a vein. value changes with age: the 5 th percentile for. AFI <5 cm is considered to be oligohydramnios. Typical values include: AFI between 5-25 cm is considered normal median AFI level is 14 cm from week 20 to week 35, after which the amniotic fluid volume begins to reduce. You may also be asked to drink more water. The normal range for amniotic fluid volumes varies with gestational age. Depending on what's causing the problem and how close you are to delivery, your doctor may want to try to start (induce) labor. If you're near the end of your pregnancy, you may not need treatment. This means that the size of your pregnant belly is not as large as it should be, as measured from top to bottom by your doctor.ĭoctors use ultrasound to measure the amount of amniotic fluid in your uterus. A problem with the baby's kidneys or urinary tract.It supplies your baby with nutrients and oxygen through the umbilical cord. This is a large organ that grows in your uterus during pregnancy. A health problem you have, such as high blood pressure.In many cases, the cause of low amniotic fluid may not be found. The fluid helps your baby move around in the uterus. And it keeps your baby at a healthy temperature. It may lead to problems during labor and delivery.Īmniotic fluid protects your baby from being bumped or hurt as you move your body. Having a low amount of this fluid can affect how the baby grows. Low amniotic fluid means that there is too little fluid around your baby in the uterus during pregnancy. Information from these cases was similar to what was found in the medical literature.Condition Basics What is low amniotic fluid? Leaking or a Rupture of the Membranes: This refers to a gush of fluid or a slow trickle of fluid that occurs. Its performed by your healthcare provider around 37 weeks of pregnancy. The most common method used to turn a breech baby is called external cephalic version (ECV). Among the 35 cases reported to FDA through 2017, all were serious. A few low amniotic fluid causes include: Congenital Disabilities: This includes problems with the development of the kidneys or the urinary tract that could cause lesser production of urine, leading to lower levels of amniotic fluid. An ultrasound may be used to confirm the baby’s position.

We reviewed the medical literature and cases reported to FDA for data about low amniotic fluid levels or kidney problems in unborn babies associated with NSAID use during pregnancy. One exception to the above recommendations is the use of the low 81 mg dose of the NSAID aspirin for certain pregnancy-related conditions at any point in pregnancy under the direction of a health care professional. We will also update the Drug Facts labels of OTC NSAIDs intended for use in adults. The changes to the prescribing information also indicate that health care professionals should consider ultrasound monitoring of amniotic fluid if NSAID treatment extends beyond 48 hours and discontinue the NSAID if oligohydramnios is found. Use of NSAIDs if deemed necessary, between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy should be limited to the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration. At around 30 weeks, NSAIDs can cause a problem that may result in heart issues in the unborn baby. We recommend avoiding NSAIDs in pregnant women at 20 weeks, rather than the 30 weeks currently described in NSAID prescribing information. Amniotic fluid provides a protective cushion and helps the unborn babies’ lungs, digestive system, and muscles develop.įor prescription NSAIDS, we are requiring changes to the prescribing information to describe the risk of kidney problems in unborn babies that result in low amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios). After around 20 weeks of pregnancy, the unborn babies’ kidneys produce most of the amniotic fluid, so kidney problems can lead to low levels of this fluid. They include medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, and celecoxib. Low amniotic fluid can cause various health problems in your fetus affecting your babys development. NSAIDs are commonly used to relieve pain and reduce fevers. This condition is medically known as oligohydramnios. This can lead to low levels of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby and possible complications. On October 15, 2020, FDA warned that the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) around 20 weeks or later in pregnancy may cause rare but serious kidney problems in an unborn baby. Welcome to the FDA Drug Safety Podcast for health care professionals from the Division of Drug Information.

Low amniotic fluid ultrasound