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What Causes Low AFI Levels During 37th Week Of Pregnancy?
Question: Hello Doc, I am 37 weeks pregnant. My EDD is 7/12/2016. My resent scan (done on 14/11/16) shows AFI as 8.8, My Doc has advised me to take Betnesol injection (12mg) shot and repeat in 24 hrs because of low level of AFI. As per doc, at this AFI level my EDD will be 7-10 days earlier though after 36 weeks its not a preterm. As a caution she has suggested for this Betnesol dose but not mandatory. Pl suggest if this is really required at this stage and what will be its side effect on baby and myself. Thanks
Brief Answer:
Baby is mature enough : Betnesol may be skipped.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Your EDD is 7th December; today is 17th November. So you are already 37 weeks pregnant.
Steroid injections like Betnesol are given to the expectant mother if she is in premature labour; it helps the maturation of the foetal lungs and thus prevents Respiratory Distress Syndrome. This risk is for the babies who get delivered before 34 weeks of gestational age. I do not fee there is any need of having Betnesol injection for you. Delivery about 3 weeks before and after 1 week of EDD is considered as full term delivery. You are in this range.
However, your amniotic fluid index is rather low. It should have been more than 10 to be on the safer side. As she has very rightly expressed, you may land in labour earlier than the EDD or you may require induction of labour if the amniotic fluid index demand so. Usually mothers with amniotic fluid index low need caesarean section as these babies cannot sustain the stress of the labour contractions.
I would suggest you to get complete Manning's score done. The score less than 6 indicates impending risk to the baby and immediate termination of pregnancy is indicated to save the baby. Manning's score more than 6 is in safer range. However, amniotic fluid index plays a key role in Manning's score too.
Please upload the images and the reports of Manning's score for my review. Also please upload the ultrasonography reports mentioning the foetal maturity.
Do you have pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, diabetes, or any other complication of pregnancy?
You may try drinking plenty of water to replenish amniotic fluid volume.
For any more information, I am always available to you, XXXXXXX You may consider posting a good review with 5 star rating for me.
Dr. Nishikant Shrotri
Baby is mature enough : Betnesol may be skipped.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Your EDD is 7th December; today is 17th November. So you are already 37 weeks pregnant.
Steroid injections like Betnesol are given to the expectant mother if she is in premature labour; it helps the maturation of the foetal lungs and thus prevents Respiratory Distress Syndrome. This risk is for the babies who get delivered before 34 weeks of gestational age. I do not fee there is any need of having Betnesol injection for you. Delivery about 3 weeks before and after 1 week of EDD is considered as full term delivery. You are in this range.
However, your amniotic fluid index is rather low. It should have been more than 10 to be on the safer side. As she has very rightly expressed, you may land in labour earlier than the EDD or you may require induction of labour if the amniotic fluid index demand so. Usually mothers with amniotic fluid index low need caesarean section as these babies cannot sustain the stress of the labour contractions.
I would suggest you to get complete Manning's score done. The score less than 6 indicates impending risk to the baby and immediate termination of pregnancy is indicated to save the baby. Manning's score more than 6 is in safer range. However, amniotic fluid index plays a key role in Manning's score too.
Please upload the images and the reports of Manning's score for my review. Also please upload the ultrasonography reports mentioning the foetal maturity.
Do you have pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, diabetes, or any other complication of pregnancy?
You may try drinking plenty of water to replenish amniotic fluid volume.
For any more information, I am always available to you, XXXXXXX You may consider posting a good review with 5 star rating for me.
Dr. Nishikant Shrotri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Hello Sir, I dont have pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, diabetes or any other complication of pregnancy till date. Only thing told by my doc is that my baby is one week small. I have also uploaded my last ultrasonography report. Pl check and guide me accordingly. Thanks
Brief Answer:
Manning's Score with AFI monitoring
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I have gone through all your reports you had uploaded. All the reports except amniotic fluid index seem to be in normal limit.
Now as I suggested, to determine the foetal surveillance, please get Manning's score done which will assess the foetal activity, amniotic fluid index and the non-stress test. There are 5 parameters of Manning's score. Based on these findings, it can be decided whether the baby is safe inside the uterus or has to be out immediately. Please inform me the reports of Manning's score. However, please keep in mind that the most vital parameter of Manning's score is amniotic fluid index. So please monitor your amniotic fluid index frequently; if it starts dropping progressively, it is safer to deliver the baby. The baby is well matured and you need not be worried much about the health of the baby even if the delivery has to be instituted immediately. However, please insist on delivery in a well equipped institution which has facilities of caesarean section and neonatal resuscitation with neonatal intensive care unit.
For any more information, please feel free to ask me anytime, XXXXXXX
Dr. Nishikant Shrotri
Manning's Score with AFI monitoring
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I have gone through all your reports you had uploaded. All the reports except amniotic fluid index seem to be in normal limit.
Now as I suggested, to determine the foetal surveillance, please get Manning's score done which will assess the foetal activity, amniotic fluid index and the non-stress test. There are 5 parameters of Manning's score. Based on these findings, it can be decided whether the baby is safe inside the uterus or has to be out immediately. Please inform me the reports of Manning's score. However, please keep in mind that the most vital parameter of Manning's score is amniotic fluid index. So please monitor your amniotic fluid index frequently; if it starts dropping progressively, it is safer to deliver the baby. The baby is well matured and you need not be worried much about the health of the baby even if the delivery has to be instituted immediately. However, please insist on delivery in a well equipped institution which has facilities of caesarean section and neonatal resuscitation with neonatal intensive care unit.
For any more information, please feel free to ask me anytime, XXXXXXX
Dr. Nishikant Shrotri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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