The Effects of Intravenous Hydration on Amniotic Fluid Volume and Pregnancy Outcomes in Women with Term Pregnancy and Oligohydramnios

Background: Oligohydramnios is a common obstetric complication in the third trimester, associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Since amniotic fluid volume reflects fetal well-being, strategies to increase fluid levels are of clinical value. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of maternal intravenous hydration on amniotic fluid index (AFI) and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: A single-blind controlled clinical trial was conducted at Al-Imamein Al-Kadhimein Medical City, Baghdad, from April 2016 to March 2017. A total of 100 pregnant women with term gestation (37–41 weeks) and oligohydramnios (AFI ≤5 cm) were randomly assigned into two groups: intravenous hydration (n=50) and control (n=50). The intervention group received one liter of isotonic saline over 120 minutes. AFI was measured at baseline and re-assessed three hours later. Data were analyzed using paired and independent t-tests. Results: In the hydration group, mean AFI increased significantly from 4.10±0.76 cm to 4.93±0.81 cm (p=0.0001), representing a 20% rise. In the control group, AFI increased slightly from 4.17±0.90 cm to 4.43±0.90 cm, which was not statistically significant (p=0.055). Fetal distress occurred in 18% of the hydration group compared with 36% in controls, showing a significant reduction (p=0.043). All cases with fetal distress required cesarean delivery. Conclusion: Intravenous hydration is a simple, safe, and effective method to improve AFI in term pregnancies complicated by oligohydramnios. It may also reduce the incidence of fetal distress and the need for emergency cesarean section, making it a practical management option.