Condition
Low Amniotic Fluid (Oligohydramnios): Monitoring and Care
Amniotic fluid cushions your baby and helps the lungs and limbs develop. When there is less of it than expected, called oligohydramnios, your team watches more closely. It is usually found on ultrasound and often managed well. This page is educational, not medical advice.
Call your clinician if you
- Feel your baby moving less than usual (always worth a same-day check after 28 weeks)
- Have a gush or a steady leak of fluid (your water may have broken)
- Have a severe headache, vision changes, or upper-belly pain (possible preeclampsia)
Decreased fetal movement or leaking fluid always deserves a same-day check. Call your clinician or go to labor and delivery.
What low fluid means
Amniotic fluid comes mostly from the baby's urine, so low fluid can point to how the placenta and the baby's kidneys are working, or that your water has broken. It is measured on ultrasound. Causes range from a leaking membrane to placental issues to going past your due date.
How it is monitored
Your team will use ultrasounds, check the baby's growth and movement, and may recommend more frequent monitoring. Staying well hydrated can help. Depending on your weeks and the cause, they may plan to deliver a bit early to keep your baby safe.
How Materna helps
Materna makes kick counting simple, flags decreased movement, keeps your scans and plan in one place, and puts a bilingual nurse one tap away. Spanish-first and Medicaid-friendly.
Frequently asked questions
- What causes low amniotic fluid?
- Common causes include a leaking or ruptured membrane, placenta problems, the baby's kidney or urinary differences, certain medicines, and going past your due date. Your clinician will look for the cause.
- Can drinking water help?
- Staying well hydrated can modestly help fluid levels and is generally encouraged, but it is not a cure. Follow your clinician's monitoring plan.
- Will I be induced for low fluid?
- Sometimes. Depending on how far along you are and the cause, your team may recommend delivering a bit early. They will explain the plan with you.
Read next
Related conditions