What is too much amniotic fluid?

While you are pregnant, amniotic fluid in the uterus protects your baby from being bumped or hurt as you move your body. And it keeps your baby at a healthy temperature. The fluid also helps your baby move around. Having too much of this fluid is called polyhydramnios. It means that there's more fluid around your baby than there should be.

In some cases, too much amniotic fluid doesn't cause problems. In other cases, it can cause problems such as preterm labour. Or it may increase your chance of needing a caesarean delivery (C-section).

What causes it?

In many cases, the cause of too much amniotic fluid may not be found.

But too much amniotic fluid may happen if:

• You have diabetes. This includes diabetes that occurs during pregnancy (gestational diabetes).
• The fetus has a development problem. Examples are genetic conditions and birth defects.
• You are pregnant with twins or more.

What are the symptoms?

You may not have any symptoms of too much amniotic fluid. Often it's found during a routine ultrasound.

But some people do have symptoms, which may include:

• A uterus that is larger than expected for the age of the pregnancy. Your doctor or midwife will find this out.
• Shortness of breath.
• Contractions.

How is it diagnosed?

Your doctor or midwife can use ultrasound to see if you have too much amniotic fluid. This test is used to measure the pockets of amniotic fluid that surround the baby. If these measurements show too much fluid, more tests may be done to try to find the cause.

How is it treated?

In most cases, treatment is not needed. Sometimes the problem gets better over time.

If it is causing problems for you or your baby, you may need treatment. The type of treatment you get depends on how much amniotic fluid you have. It also depends on how far along you are in your pregnancy and what your symptoms are.

In rare cases, your doctor may use a needle to remove extra fluid from the amniotic sac. Or you may be given medicine.

Your doctor or midwife might do extra tests, like an ultrasound of your baby. Your doctor or midwife may also monitor your pregnancy more often than usual.

Depending on your health and the health of your baby, your doctor or midwife may recommend having your baby early.