Amniotic fluid index is a way of measuring the amount of liquid
that is around a baby (fetus) in the uterus during pregnancy. It
is usually done as part of the biophysical profile (BPP), which
is a series of tests that measure the health of the baby during
pregnancy. Amniotic fluid protects the fetus from temperature
extremes and from being bumped or hurt as the mother moves
around. It also allows the fetus to move around in the uterus
and is important for lung and limb development. A problem with
the amount of amniotic fluid could point to a problem with the
growing fetus. Too much or too little fluid could also cause
problems during labor and delivery. Doctors use ultrasound to
calculate the amniotic fluid index. The doctor looks at the
amount of amniotic fluid in four different areas of the uterus.
The four areas are called quadrants. The doctor measures how
much fluid is in each quadrant. Then he or she adds up the
numbers to get an idea of the total amount of fluid that
surrounds the baby. June 18, 2012