It's only performed in specific circumstances, like when your baby shows signs of distress during labor or when low amniotic fluid is detected in a prenatal ultrasound. The procedure involves inserting saline or sodium lactate into your uterus. Having enough amniotic fluid ensures your pregnancy and delivery are healthy and safe. It's also important to keep and attend all your prenatal visits so your provider can monitor your baby's health and better detect complications caused by low amniotic fluid.Īmnioinfusion is a procedure to replace amniotic fluid lost during labor. They can determine if you're leaking amniotic fluid. Your provider can discuss the risks and benefits of amnioinfusion with you and determine the best course of treatment based on your medical condition.Ĭontact your pregnancy care provider if you feel fluid leaking from your vagina during pregnancy. It's not as well-studied as other procedures that have been in practice for many decades. Your healthcare provider can discuss amnioinfusion with you. When should I see my healthcare provider? Uterine overdistention (enlarged uterus).Polyhydramnios (too much amniotic fluid).Chorioamnionitis (infection of your placenta and amniotic fluid).Complications of amnioinfusion could include: Like all procedures, there are some risks involved. Overall, amnioinfusion seems to be a safe and effective technique. What are the risks or complications of amnioinfusion? Decrease chances of infection (postpartum endometritis) due to not having amniotic fluid.

Reduce the amount of meconium-stained amniotic fluid.Help delay labor to avoid complications of premature birth.Improve blood and oxygen flow to your baby via the umbilical cord.Decrease your risk of needing forceps, a vacuum or other instruments.Lower your risk of needing a c-section.Other than improving your baby's heart rate and other signs of distress, amnioinfusion can help: What are the advantages of amnioinfusion? The procedure is only used in certain circumstances. Yes, healthcare providers can replace amniotic fluid with saline during an amnioinfusion procedure. The fetus is breech or is in any other position other than head down.You have placenta previa or suspected placental abruption.You have an active genital herpes infection or other infection in your uterus.When minutes count, amnioinfusion just delays delivery. There are circumstances where amnioinfusion should not be done such as: Low amniotic fluid affects their environment in your womb and can cause them distress. Healthcare providers use amnioinfusion in specific instances when your unborn baby’s amniotic fluid is too low. Your healthcare provider can discuss the risks and benefits of amnioinfusion with you based on your medical history and pregnancy. Swallowing meconium is OK, but breathing it in can cause complications. Prevent meconium aspiration syndrome (the extra fluid can dilute meconium).This may help the environment inside the womb and prevent you from going into preterm labor. Preterm premature rupture of the membranes (especially before the third trimester of pregnancy).Fetal distress is when your baby is in stress during labor or delivery. A compressed umbilical cord can lead to fetal distress. Amnioinfusion is performed when you have a condition called oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid). What conditions does amnioinfusion treat?Īdding amniotic fluid is only done under certain conditions. A compressed cord can cause complications because it deprives your baby of oxygen, blood and nutrients. What is the umbilical cord?Īn umbilical cord is your unborn baby’s lifeline in the womb. Not having enough amniotic fluid can cause health problems in your baby or complications during labor and delivery. Amniotic fluid also helps develop your baby’s digestive and respiratory system and regulates their temperature. It protects them from infection and umbilical cord compression and cushions their movements while they’re in the womb. What is amniotic fluid?Īmniotic fluid is a substance that surrounds your baby in your uterus. This fluid replaces lost amniotic fluid and helps stabilize your baby’s heart rate and prevent them from losing oxygen. During amnioinfusion, your healthcare provider inserts saline or sodium lactate (lactated Ringer’s solution) into your uterus with a catheter. Low amniotic fluid can compress the umbilical cord and cause other delivery complications. It’s most commonly performed during labor when a fetus shows signs of a slow or irregular heart rate due to low amniotic fluid. Amnioinfusion is a technique healthcare providers use to add amniotic fluid to your uterus.

Amniotic fluid index