Amniotic fluid (the waters around the baby) is produced by the placenta and the membranes (the bag containing the waters). During pregnancy, the baby swallows fluid. He or she also passes urine into the amniotic fluid. This is an important part of the baby’s development. The amniotic fluid is continually being replaced and cleaned, so this is not so disgusting as it sounds!
It is normal for the amount of fluid around the baby to decrease towards the end of pregnancy. At 38 weeks there is usually about 1000ml (2 pints) of fluid. By 40 weeks, this has decreased to 800ml, and by 42 weeks, only 400ml (less than 1 pint) may be left. This natural decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid does not normally cause problems. However, it may be that in your case the level of fluid fell more rapidly. This may have been related to a problem with your placenta; if the placenta is not working as well as it should, less fluid may be produced.
If the level of fluid falls to less than 400ml, there is a risk that the baby’s cord may be squashed and his or her supply of oxygen reduced. There may also be concerns about the growth and well-being of the baby. This is probably why your last labour was induced.
The main thing you can do to reduce the chance of this happening again is to try and ensure that your placenta is as healthy as possible. Make sure you eat at least five portions of fruit and/or vegetables each day (a glass of fruit juice counts as one portion), and eat plenty of wholegrain foods (breakfast cereals, brown bread, potatoes in their jackets, baked beans and so on). Cut right down on alcohol and avoid all unprescribed drugs, since both of these can interfere with your nutritional health. And, above all, if you smoke – stop! Smoking is the main cause of placenta problems and slow growth of the baby during pregnancy. In addition, try to avoid the smoke from other people’s cigarettes. Although this is not as dangerous as smoking yourself, passive smoking may still affect the baby during pregnancy.
I’m afraid I cannot tell you how likely it is that the same thing will happen again. I can only say that what happened to you is quite uncommon. I cannot say that it will not happen again but, if it does, don’t let yourself be rushed into hasty decisions. There is always time to investigate the problem properly (a scan to measure the volume of fluid, for example, and monitoring to assess your baby’s health) – and there should always be time for you to ask questions.
When faced with any difficult decisions, you may like to find out these four things:
- What are the Benefits of the treatment being suggested?
- What are the Risks?
- What are the Alternatives? (What else can we do?)
- What may happen if we do Nothing?
- The first letters of Benefits, Risks, Alternatives and Nothing spell BRAN – a useful way to remember to remember what you should be asking.