Amniotic fluid assessment

Amniotic fluid assessment is a tool for the evaluation of fetal well-being. Because of the uterine cavity being irregular direct evaluation is difficult and subsequently, indirect techniques have been utilized. The three ultrasound techniques currently used for the evaluation of amniotic fluid include 1) maximum vertical pocket, 2) subjective assessment, and 3) amniotic fluid index. A review of these techniques show that the amniotic fluid index technique is valid, and the subjective technique and the amniotic fluid index technique appear to have a good inter- and intraobserver variability. All three techniques have been shown to predict peripartum morbidity and mortality when they define decreased amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid volume is a weak predictor of morbidity and should be used in conjunction with other fetal biophysical variables to predict perinatal outcome.