Foods to Reduce Amniotic Fluid During Pregnancy

What is Amniotic Fluid?

Amniotic fluid is a clear fluid surrounding the amniotic sac or the fluid-filled membrane that contains and guards the foetus. In the early days of pregnancy, this fluid mostly consists of water. It gradually changes to include nutrients, antibodies, hormones, and the baby’s urine. Amniotic fluid is a vital part of pregnancy as it supports healthy foetal development and protects the baby from outside pressures and injuries.

The levels of amniotic fluid fluctuate throughout pregnancy. Here’s how —

• Initial stage:

In the initial stage, the permeation of the maternal serum, with some contribution from foetal sources, forms the amniotic fluid.

• 10-12 weeks:

When the foetus is 10-12 weeks old, amniotic fluid is formed by fluid from the foetal lungs and secreted urine. It may also contain residual fluid from maternal sources.

• 16-32 weeks:

The volume of amniotic fluid typically increases during this period and reaches about 250-800 ml.

• Until 36 weeks:

The fluid increases to about 1000 ml as the pregnancy progresses. This volume is maintained until the foetus is 36 weeks old.

• After 36 weeks:

After completing 36 weeks, the volume of amniotic fluid starts to decrease gradually. It mostly reduces to about 500 ml by the time of childbirth.

List of foods that can reduce amniotic fluid levels

Polyhydramnios or high levels of amniotic fluid during pregnancy can cause some uncomfortable symptoms, such as heartburn or acid reflux, frequent urination, difficulty breathing, constipation, and abdominal tightness. Moreover, polyhydramnios can also increase the risk of pregnancy and delivery complications.

Therefore, if an ultrasound shows high amniotic fluid levels, it is important to work with your doctor for proper management of the condition. While diet alone may not resolve the issue, certain foods can help ease symptoms and support overall health. The following are some foods that you must include in your diet to deal with polyhydramnios:

1. Foods low in carbohydrates

Choose foods low in carbohydrates, such as green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits. Lean proteins, such as beans, legumes, lentils, low-fat dairy products, eggs, chicken, fish, beef, pork, and tofu, are also some healthy options to include in your pregnancy diet.

Studies have shown that a low carbohydrate diet helps keep glucose levels in check. It also reduces glucose in the amniotic fluid and decreases the amniotic fluid index by a significant percentage.

2. Foods rich in potassium

Consuming foods containing potassium can also help reduce amniotic fluid levels during pregnancy. The good news is that there are plenty of options to include in your diet, especially fresh fruits and vegetables. Some examples of potassium-rich foods are potatoes, broccoli, lentils, spinach, oranges, avocadoes, and bananas. This important mineral helps in balancing electrolytes and amniotic fluids inside the body. Therefore, it is important to maintain healthy potassium levels in the body to avoid potential complications during pregnancy.

3. Foods with diuretic properties

Diuretics or foods that increase urine output can remove excess water or fluid that gets accumulated in the body, including amniotic fluid. Therefore, if your amniotic fluid levels are high, it is important to mindfully consume foods with diuretic properties. Some examples include onions, bell peppers, garlic, ginger, celery, grapes, watermelons, etc.

4. Avoid excessive salt and consumption of processed foods

High salt intake can increase sodium levels in the body, leading to water or fluid retention. Therefore, if you want to reduce high amniotic fluid levels during pregnancy, limiting salt intake can help. Consuming less salt helps maintain a better balance of electrolytes, prevents high blood pressure and supports healthy kidney function. All of these play crucial roles in fluid regulation.

Processed foods typically contain high amounts of sodium, so consuming them can further contribute to fluid retention and increased amniotic fluid levels. Additionally, these foods often contain unhealthy sugars, fats, and additives that may disrupt the body’s natural fluid balance.

Therefore, it is important to monitor your salt intake and also minimise processed foods in your diet.

5. Limit caffeine intake

Consuming excessive caffeine during pregnancy can lead to dehydration. This can affect amniotic fluid levels and contribute to polyhydramnios. Additionally, caffeine can raise blood pressure and interfere with the absorption of nutrients that help maintain fluid balance. Therefore, if your amniotic fluid levels are high, you must limit caffeine intake. Some examples of high-caffeine foods and beverages are tea, coffee, energy drinks, soft drinks, chocolates, and certain medications.

Safeguard your pregnancy with a reliable health insurance plan

Maternity and childbirth expenses have been on the rise in recent years. Therefore, it is important to stay covered under a good health insurance policy with a maternity add-on to secure your health and finances. You can also choose a standalone maternity insurance policy for better coverage.

The following are the features and benefits of a maternity insurance policy —

1. Wide coverage:

The policy covers a range of maternity expenses, such as prenatal consultations and care, childbirth or delivery expenses, and postnatal care.

2. Additional benefits:

A maternity insurance policy may also offer additional benefits to policyholders, such as vaccinations and newborn care.

3. Waiting period:

A maternity insurance policy comes with a waiting period, which typically ranges from 9 months to 6 years. Therefore, it is important to check with your insurance provider and invest in this insurance product well in advance.

4. Cashless treatment:

With a maternity insurance policy handy, you can avail of cashless maternity services at a network hospital. This saves you from the hassles of settling the bills from your pocket and filing a reimbursement claim later.