Effect of maternal oral hydration therapy in oligohydramnios

This was a randomized controlled trial on 64 pregnant women from 32 to 35 weeks gestation, in one year period to determine the effect of maternal hydration by oral water in oligohydramnios amniotic fluid index (AFI) ≤ 5. Studied women were randomly divided into two groups. Group A (intervention group) women were instructed to drink 2 liters of water within 2 hours and from the next day extra 2 liters of water daily for 7 days. Group B (control group) women were allowed for routine water intake. AFI was done after 2 hours, 24 hours and 7 days of oral hydration therapy in both the groups. P values less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Pre-treatment mean AFI was 4.77 ± 0.42 (mean ± SD) vs. 4.80 ± 0.43 (mean ± SD) and post treatment AFI after 2 hours was 6.35 ± 0.65 vs. 4.81 ± 0.42; after 7 days was 7.08 ± 0.21 vs. 5.0 ± 0.20 in oral hydration group and control group respectively. Delivery at 37-40 weeks was 53.1% vs. 12.4%, normal vaginal delivery in 71% vs. 21.8%, caesarean section in 29% vs. 78.2% and low birth weight babies were 12.5% vs. 81.25% in intervention and control group respectively. Foetal outcome was healthy in 87.1% vs. 59.4%, asphyxiated in 12.9% vs. 50% and perinatal death was 3.22% vs. 21.8% between intervention and control group. Still born were 6.3% cases in control group. Maternal oral hydration therapy significantly increases the AFI, reduces the caesarean section rate and improves the foetal outcome.