Induction of Labor Versus Expectant Management in Patients with Idiopathic Polyhydramnios

Polyhydramnios is an excess volume of amniotic fluid and is estimated to complicate 1-2% of singleton pregnancies.[1,2] The Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine currently suggests that a maximum vertical pocket (MVP) of ≥8 cm or amniotic fluid index (AFI) ≥24 cm be used to meet the diagnostic criteria for polyhydramnios.[1] Although a majority of cases remain unexplained or are termed “idiopathic,” approximately 30-40% are due to underlying causes such as maternal diabetes or fetal anomalies.[1,2] Even when fetal anomalies, infection, maternal diabetes, and alloimmunization have been ruled out, polyhydramnios continues to be a risk factor for multiple adverse fetal and maternal outcomes, increasing the risk of cesarean, maternal hemorrhage, malpresentation, preterm birth, labor dysfunction, fetal dist ress, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, and stillbirth.
Source: European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology - Category: OBGYN Authors: Tags: Full length article Source Type: research