Polyhydramnios
Polyhydramnios means there is more amniotic fluid around your baby than expected. It is diagnosed when the amniotic fluid index (AFI) is above 24 cm or a single deepest pocket exceeds 8 cm on ultrasound. It can occur because your baby is swallowing less fluid than usual, or because extra fluid is being produced. Mild cases often resolve on their own, but moderate to severe polyhydramnios can increase the risk of preterm labor, cord prolapse, or breathing difficulty for your baby. Your doctor will monitor you more frequently and may recommend additional tests to check for underlying causes such as gestational diabetes or fetal abnormalities.
What This Means for You
Understanding Polyhydramnios is an important part of your pregnancy journey. During pregnancy, your care team will use this term regularly. Being familiar with it means you can ask better questions and feel more confident at your antenatal appointments.
Explore our Pregnancy hubGood to Know
At KKH or NUH, polyhydramnios often triggers a referral to maternal-fetal medicine for closer monitoring. Controlling blood sugar if you have gestational diabetes can help reduce fluid levels.
Related Terms
Source: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/dictionary
Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
Free Tools for Singapore Parents
Put your knowledge into action with our free calculators and trackers.