Description:
During pregnancy, the level of amniotic fluid increases rapidly to reach a peak at about 36 weeks gestation after which time it may start to gradually decrease. Oligohydramnios is the presence of an abnormally low volume of amniotic fluid (AF) surrounding the fetus. It may be due to an excess loss of fluid or a decrease in fetal urine production or excretion. The condition can occur at any stage of pregnancy but it is most common in the last trimester.
Amnioinfusion is used to increase the volume of amniotic fluid around the fetus during pregnancy. Under ultrasonic guidance, a needle is inserted into the uterine cavity and saline or Ringer's lactate is infused until the level of amniotic fluid is normal. The procedure may be repeated if oligohydramnios recurs (serial amnioinfusion).
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