Understanding Water in the Brain (Hydrocephalus) in Fetal Development

Question
Dr. Rappaport,
An Employee of mine is preparing to be a father and has found yesterday that the baby has water in the brain.  She is due mid-October(19th).  He has tests set up for next week (amnio) and I believe he is already to terminate.  This is a two part question.
1.  What does that mean to the baby( having water in the brain), what are the possible outcomes for full term.
2.  Will it be safe for the mother (currently 42) it they decide to terminate?
I ask these  questions on his behalf to help educate him on any upcoming decisions he has to make.  My wife is also pregnant but currently everything is fine
Thank you for your time
Greg Gilbert

Answer
Water on the brain is usually swelling in some part of the brain.You will have to ask a pediatrician as to what can happen and if she should terminate.It is safe to terminate up to 24 weeks gestatiion, although safer and easier to terminate prior to  15 weeks.