Effect of 1 week of oral hydration on the amniotic fluid index.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of long-term (1-week) oral hydration on amniotic fluid volume in women with an amniotic fluid index (AFI) l0th and < 90th percentile. RESULTS: AFI increased from 8.1 ± 0.73 (mean ±SD) into 11.8 ±2.4 1 week later (P < .01) in 25 (83%) of the intrastudy subjects. The AFI was similar before and 1 week after oral hydration in all the controls CONCLUSION: Long-term maternal oral hydration seems to significantly increase the AFI in selected women with reduced fluid and possibly prevents oligohydramnios. (authors)