What should you know about polyhydramnios treatment at home?

Polyhydramnios is a pregnancy finding involving excess amniotic fluid around the baby. It may be mild or more marked, and the reason is not always clear. Extra fluid can make the abdomen feel unusually tight and may affect breathing, movement, or comfort. Your clinician may use an ultrasound to measure fluid and check the baby's growth and wellbeing.

Keep every antenatal appointment and use medicines only as your maternity team directs. Rest in a comfortable position, drink normally, and note new breathlessness, increasing abdominal pressure, pain, contractions, fluid leakage, or a change in the baby's usual movements. Do not try to reduce fluid by restricting drinks, taking unprescribed medicines, or using home remedies. A recommended [Growth Scan](/treatments/pregnancy-and-birth-care/growth-scan/) can help your team assess growth and fluid.

Contact your maternity unit promptly if your waters may have broken, you have regular painful contractions, vaginal bleeding, severe or worsening abdominal pain, significant breathing difficulty, or reduced or changed fetal movements. Seek emergency help for severe breathlessness, fainting, or heavy bleeding. These symptoms need assessment regardless of whether the polyhydramnios was described as mild.

Ask what your fluid measurement means, whether another scan is planned, what symptoms should trigger a call, and how you should respond if fetal movements change. Ask whether any underlying issue needs checking and where to go outside clinic hours.