Amniotic fluid is the liquid that surrounds and protects a developing baby during pregnancy. It's made up of water, protein, carbohydrates, and lipids. Although a small amount of amniotic fluid is essential for fetal development, too much or too little can lead to serious health complications for both mother and child. Here's what you need to know about amniotic fluid problems during pregnancy. Types of Amniotic Fluid Problems Two amniotic fluid problems can occur during pregnancy: oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios. Oligohydramnios occurs when there is too little amniotic fluid surrounding the baby. This can happen if the mother's water breaks early or the baby's kidney isn't developing correctly. On the other hand, polyhydramnios occurs when there is too much amniotic fluid. This can be caused by twins or triplets (or more!) sharing one placenta, diabetes, or another medical condition. Symptoms of Amniotic Fluid Problems The most common symptom of oligohydramnios...