![]() Birth defects – kidney abnormalities, for example.Multiple pregnancies – twins or triplets, for example.Problems with the placenta – abruption, for example.Chronic high blood pressure (hypertension).Oligohydramnios may also occur in women with a history of any of the following medical conditions: 3 This may be evident in cases of leaking fluid from a tear in the amniotic membranes, measuring small for a certain stage of pregnancy or if the fetus is not moving as much as it would be expected to. Oligohydramnios is present when the amniotic fluid index (AFI) seen on ultrasound measures less than 5 cm (a normal index is 5-25cm) and the maximum vertical pocket (MVP) is less than 2 cm. Low levels of amniotic fluid, referred to as oligohydramnios, is present in 4% of all pregnancies and 12% of post dates pregnancies. On the next page, we look in more detail at oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios, the condition that is also known as amniotic fluid disorder. Oligohydramnios is the presence of too little amniotic fluid, whereas polyhydramnios – also referred to as hydramnios or amniotic fluid disorder – is the presence of excess fluid. 6Īt times, there may be conditions which cause a woman to have more or less than normal amounts of amniotic fluid. Once the waters have broken, the maternity unit should be contacted. Most women’s waters break toward the end of the first stage of labor. The amniotic fluid contained within the sac then begins to leak out via the cervix and vagina. When an expectant mother’s waters break, the amniotic sac tears. This level decreases as birth nears, averaging around 600 mL at 40 weeks of gestation. Under normal circumstances, the level of amniotic fluid is at its highest during weeks 34-36 of pregnancy, measuring out at an average of 800 mL. This cord transports food and oxygen from the placenta to the growing fetus. Umbilical cord support: fluid in the uterus prevents the umbilical cord from being compressed.Lubrication amniotic fluid prevents parts of the body such as the fingers and toes from growing together webbing can occur if amniotic fluid levels are low.Muscle and bone development: as the baby floats inside the amniotic sac, it has the freedom to move about, giving muscles and bones the opportunity to develop properly.Lung and digestive system development: by breathing and swallowing the amniotic fluid, the baby practices using the muscles of these systems as the grow.Infection control: the amniotic fluid contains antibodies.Temperature control: the fluid insulates the baby, keeping it warm and maintaining a regular temperature.Protecting the fetus: the fluid cushions the baby from outside pressures, acting as a shock absorber.In some cases, babies will require treatment after they are born. This can be problematic, causing a breathing problem called meconium aspiration syndrome that occurs when the meconium enters the lungs. When amniotic fluid is green or brown, this indicates that the baby has passed meconium (the first bowel movement) before birth. 1Īmniotic fluid is not only comprised of urine, it also contains vital components such as nutrients, hormones and infection-fighting antibodies. It is soon entirely replaced by fetal urine (as it swallows and excretes the fluid), however, around 20 week’s gestation. Initially, the fluid is comprised of water produced by the mother. ![]() 5Īmniotic fluid is vital to the healthy growth and development of a fetus. Inside the sac, the baby is surrounded by amniotic fluid. While a baby is in the womb, it is situated within the amniotic sac, a bag formed of two membranes (the amnion and the chorion) in which the fetus grows and develops. Doctors can alter the levels of fluid within the uterus with a variety of procedures.Polyhydramnios refers to when amniotic fluid levels are too high.Oligohydramnios refers to when amniotic fluid levels are too low.Doctors can tell from the amount of amniotic fluid present whether or not a baby has a problem with their swallowing reflex.As its body develops, the baby breathes and swallows the amniotic fluid.Amniotic fluid helps protect the baby from bumps and potential injury.Amniotic fluid also contains important nutrients, hormones and antibodies.Eventually, the majority of the amniotic fluid in the uterus is comprised of the baby’s urine.To begin with, amniotic fluid consists of water from the mother’s body.More detail and supporting information is in the main article. Here are some key points about amniotic fluid.
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