What is amniotic fluid?
Amniotic fluid is a water-like substance that surrounds and protects baby during pregnancy as baby grows inside the amniotic sac which is filled with amniotic fluid.
What is amniotic fluid comprised of?
The composition of amniotic fluid changes from early to late gestation. In the first weeks of pregnancy, amniotic fluid comes from both baby and mom and includes water, maternal fluids, and fluid from the amniotic cavity. Around 20 weeks, amniotic fluid is largely produced by baby's urine and lung secretions.
What does amniotic fluid do?
Oligohydramnios is too little amniotic fluid. Polyhydramnios is too much amniotic fluid. Both of these situations can lead to complications for Mom and baby. As a midwife I evaluate how much amniotic fluid is in the amniotic sac everytime I palpate baby. If I have questions or concerns, I will recommend an ultrasound to assess just how much amniotic fluid there is.
What about meconium in amniotic fluid?
Meconium is the first bowel movement of a newborn baby, and it is normally passed after birth. However, if a baby passes meconium before birth, it can be a sign of fetal distress. Meconium can cause problems if the baby breathes it in, which can lead to a condition called Meconium Aspiration Syndrome. Meconium Aspiration Syndrome can cause breathing problems, pneumonia, and other serious health problems. Meconium Aspiration Syndrome is pretty uncommon. Data shows 15% to 27% of term and post term babies have meconium in the amniotic fluid. Of those babies, Meconium Aspiration Syndrome occurs 2% to 10%
Fun facts about amniotic fluid:
Amniotic fluid is a water-like substance that surrounds and protects baby during pregnancy as baby grows inside the amniotic sac which is filled with amniotic fluid.
What is amniotic fluid comprised of?
The composition of amniotic fluid changes from early to late gestation. In the first weeks of pregnancy, amniotic fluid comes from both baby and mom and includes water, maternal fluids, and fluid from the amniotic cavity. Around 20 weeks, amniotic fluid is largely produced by baby's urine and lung secretions.
What does amniotic fluid do?
- Amniotic fluid helps to protect baby from injury by providing cushioning from bumps and jolts.
- Amniotic fluid helps to prevent the umbilical cord from getting compressed, which could cut off baby's oxygen supply.
- Baby practices breathing and swallowing amniotic fluid. This helps to develop the lungs and digestive system.
- Amniotic fluid helps to regulate baby's body temperature by keeping it at a constant level.
- Amniotic fluid contains antibodies that help to protect baby from infection.
Oligohydramnios is too little amniotic fluid. Polyhydramnios is too much amniotic fluid. Both of these situations can lead to complications for Mom and baby. As a midwife I evaluate how much amniotic fluid is in the amniotic sac everytime I palpate baby. If I have questions or concerns, I will recommend an ultrasound to assess just how much amniotic fluid there is.
What about meconium in amniotic fluid?
Meconium is the first bowel movement of a newborn baby, and it is normally passed after birth. However, if a baby passes meconium before birth, it can be a sign of fetal distress. Meconium can cause problems if the baby breathes it in, which can lead to a condition called Meconium Aspiration Syndrome. Meconium Aspiration Syndrome can cause breathing problems, pneumonia, and other serious health problems. Meconium Aspiration Syndrome is pretty uncommon. Data shows 15% to 27% of term and post term babies have meconium in the amniotic fluid. Of those babies, Meconium Aspiration Syndrome occurs 2% to 10%
Fun facts about amniotic fluid:
- Amniotic fluid has a pH of 7 to 7.5
- Amniotic fluid appears around 12 days or pregnancy when the amniotic sac forms
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