Amniotic fluid is an essential liquid substance for the fetus, just like our needs for air and water, it is a necessity for sustaining life. Only when the amniotic fluid in the mother's uterus remains normal can the fetus grow healthier in the uterus. So, is oligohydramnios at 16 weeks a fetal malformation?
1. Insufficient amniotic fluid in early and mid pregnancy may indicate a defect in the baby. If the fetus's kidneys do not develop properly, or even do not grow kidneys at all, or if the urethra is blocked during development, then the fetus will not be able to excrete urine to replenish the amount of amniotic fluid in the belly. In addition, congenital heart defects may also lead to oligohydramnios.
2. However, oligohydramnios does not necessarily indicate fetal malformation. If there is oligohydramnios but there are no abnormalities in fetal development, then it is necessary to find the cause of oligohydramnios and prescribe the right medicine. Amniotic membrane rupture can lead to insufficient amniotic fluid, even if it is just a small incision, there may still be amniotic fluid left, but this situation is more likely to occur near the due date. If you feel your pants are wet, it may be due to amniotic fluid leakage.
3. If a pregnant woman experiences placental abruption during pregnancy, there may also be insufficient amniotic fluid, which prevents the baby from obtaining nutrients from the placenta to support their development, leading to interruption of amniotic fluid circulation.
4. If the pregnant woman suffers from hypertension, diabetes and other diseases, it will also lead to insufficient amniotic fluid.
