What should amniotic fluid levels be at 36 weeks

If you haven't yet been tested for gestational diabetes this test is usually given between 24 and 28 weeks , you'll be tested now. If your polyhydramnios remains concerning, your caregiver will prepare for the possibility of preterm delivery. She may prescribe corticosteroids to help speed the development of your baby's lungs and some other organs so that he'll be stronger at delivery.

Because of the increased risk of complications see above , your caregiver will have you come to the hospital early in labor — or right away if your water breaks before you go into labor. You'll be monitored carefully during labor, and you'll be watched closely after you give birth, too. Postpartum bleeding is more likely because your overly distended uterus may not be able to contract well. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world.

When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals.

We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Mayo Clinic. Amniocentesis: Why it's done.

Amniotic fluid. Merck Manual. Assessment of amniotic fluid volume. Join now to personalize. Photo credit: iStock. What does it mean to have too much amniotic fluid? How will I know if I have too much amniotic fluid?

What causes polyhydramnios? Is polyhydramnios dangerous for my baby? What will happen if I'm diagnosed with polyhydramnios? Amniotic fluid fills the sac surrounding your developing baby and plays several important roles: It cushions your baby to protect them from trauma if you take a tumble, for instance. It prevents the umbilical cord from becoming compressed, which would reduce your baby's oxygen supply. It helps maintain a constant temperature in the womb.

It protects against infection. It allows your baby to move around so their muscles and bones develop properly. It helps the digestive and respiratory systems develop as your baby swallows and excretes it and "inhales" and "exhales" it from their lungs.

The most common causes of polyhydramnios are: Maternal diabetes You can end up with high fluid levels if you have diabetes and you're having trouble managing it properly.

Other, much less common causes of polyhydramnios include: Genetic abnormalities Babies with very high fluid levels are more likely to have a genetic abnormality such as Down syndrome.

It can put you and your baby at increased risk for: Placental abruption Premature labor Premature rupture of membranes PROM Umbilical cord prolapse the umbilical cord drops into the vagina before the baby Cesarean section Stillbirth Heavy bleeding after delivery What will happen if I'm diagnosed with polyhydramnios? Very rarely, amniocentesis is done to drain excess amniotic fluid. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

What are the treatment options for low amniotic fluid during pregnancy? Potter's syndrome. Merck Manual. Professional Version. Problems with amniotic fluid.

Consumer Version. Join now to personalize. When there's too little amniotic fluid in your uterus at any point in your pregnancy, it's called oligohydramnios. Low amniotic fluid is most common late in the third trimester, particularly if you're overdue, and usually won't result in any complications for your baby.

If you have oligohydramnios, your caregiver will follow your pregnancy closely to be sure your baby continues to grow normally. Photo credit: iStock. What is low amniotic fluid? How will I know if I have low amniotic fluid? What could be causing low amniotic fluid? Is low amniotic fluid dangerous for my baby?

What will happen if I'm diagnosed with oligohydramnios? Amniotic fluid fills the sac surrounding your developing baby and plays several important roles: It cushions your baby to protect them from trauma if you take a tumble, for instance. It prevents the umbilical cord from becoming compressed, which would reduce your baby's oxygen supply. It helps maintain a constant temperature in the womb. It protects against infection.

It allows your baby to move around so their muscles and bones develop properly. It helps the digestive and respiratory systems develop as your baby swallows and excretes it and "inhales" and "exhales" it from their lungs. Sources BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. Featured video. The Apgar score. Leaking amniotic fluid premature rupture of membranes.

Too much amniotic fluid polyhydramnios. Fundal height: Measuring large or small for gestational age. Some causes of low amniotic fluid have a simple solution, but others may require more intensive intervention.

Anytime during your pregnancy, drinking a lot of water can make a huge difference. According to one study , hydration is very helpful for upping amniotic fluid levels in women between 37 and 41 weeks of pregnancy.

While more research is needed, a Cochrane database review also found that simple hydration increased amniotic fluid levels. The nice thing about this remedy?

An amnioinfusion is when your doctor squirts a saltwater solution saline through your cervix and into the amniotic sac. This can at least temporarily increase the level of amniotic fluid. Amniocentesis involves a thin needle being inserted directly into the amniotic sac through your abdomen. If you have low amniotic fluid before or during labor, your doctor may give you fluid via amniocentesis before delivering your baby. This can help your baby maintain their mobility and heart rate throughout the delivery, which may also help decrease your chances of a cesarean delivery.

Your doctor may recommend IV fluids. Since low amniotic fluid may be caused by underlying conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, treating these conditions may improve your levels. This may involve taking medication, monitoring your blood sugar, or making more frequent visits to your doctor.

Preexisting causes may create other issues during your pregnancy, too, so managing the cause is a win-win. But some doctors will still prescribe it in the case of low amniotic fluid. Resting in bed or on the couch except to go to the bathroom or shower may help improve blood flow to the placenta, which in turn helps increase amniotic fluid.

Find that perfect Netflix show to binge on and let those around you wait on you hand and foot. This may sound scary, but there are a couple of bonuses to extra monitoring: One, you get to see your baby more often!

And two, your doctor will be able to treat any issues sooner than later. Some research — only in animals, though — shows a modest negative effect on amniotic fluid levels when mom consumes a high fat diet.

Fancy being on the safe side? You may want to just steer clear. While there are internet sites or videos claiming to have natural solutions, low amniotic fluid is a serious medical condition that can have a severe impact on your baby if not treated properly. It should be treated and monitored by your doctor. Second of all, your doctor may recommend delivering your baby early.

While this may cause mixed emotions in you, the outcomes for babies born in the last month of pregnancy are excellent.