Low Amniotic Fluid in Pregnancy: Causes, Risks & What to Expect

Question
I am 22 yrs old and this is my first child, my due date is Jan 3, 2005.  With each ultrasound they do, they tel me that my fluids are low, what does that mean?

Answer
If your due date is January 3, you are now almost 36 weeks gestation. Your amniotic fluid sometimes will diminish as you get closer to term. However, your amniotic fluid index (AFI) should not drop below 8cm. If it does, you should be delivered before your due date. Your doctors should be doing non stress testing (NST) on you weekly, and you should have a biophysical profile done to assess AFI. If it keeps dropping, it means that there may be a problem with the fetus and it would be better off in the nursery than in your uterus. The fluid is what is surrounding the fetus and is cushioning it. The baby swallows the fluid and urinates it out. Decrease in AFI at this stage of pregnancy is worrisome.