Goldilocks levels

The amniotic fluid performs important functions: it cushions and protects the foetus, allowing foetal movement and muscle development; it reduces cord compression, especially in labour; and it’s vital for foetal lung and gut development, among other functions. This is why it’s so important to monitor amniotic fluid regularly throughout pregnancy, to ensure your baby has perfect Goldilocks levels (not too much, not too little).

Joburg based gynaecologist/obstetrician Dr Bronwyn Moore explains the basics of monitoring: “Your healthcare worker will use various markers to monitor the progress of your pregnancy. One of the most important is the size of your uterus, measured from pubic bone to the top, known as the height of fundus. How big your uterus is depends on how many babies you’re carrying, the size of your developing foetus and the amount of amniotic fluid. A uterus that is bigger or smaller than expected will alert your healthcare worker to a possible problem with amniotic fluid volume and will need further investigation.

“Commonly, a sonar is then performed to assess what’s going on inside the uterus. The size of the foetus can be estimated and the amount of amniotic fluid determined. Experienced sonographers can judge the amount of fluid while conducting routine scans, but if it’s felt that the amount of fluid is abnormal then it can be formally measured by doing an AFI. Here, the uterus is divided into four, and the deepest pool in each quadrant is added together. This total value is then compared to normal values. Too much or not enough amniotic fluid is associated with specific pregnancy problems, and these possible causes would need to be looked for and excluded.”