Contents:
- Medical Video: Amniocentesis (Amniotic Fluid Test)
- What is amniotic fluid?
- What is the function of amniotic fluid?
- Common problems with amniotic fluid
- Polyhydramnios
- Oligohydramnios
- KPD (premature rupture of membranes)
Medical Video: Amniocentesis (Amniotic Fluid Test)
You might know amniotic fluid as a sign that pregnant women will give birth soon. However, did you know where the amniotic fluid came from and what it did for the mother and fetus? Come on, learn the ins and outs of the following amniotic fluid.
What is amniotic fluid?
During pregnancy when the baby is still a fetus that grows in the womb, the fetus is surrounded by a clear liquid that is slightly yellowish. This fluid is the amniotic fluid and is contained in the amniotic sac, which is a sac that has two membranes (amnion and chorion).
At first, amniotic fluid is made from water produced by the mother. After that, after around the 20th week of pregnancy, amniotic fluid is completely replaced with fetal urine (the baby swallows fluid and excretes it). However, urine is not the only component of amniotic fluid because it consists of other important elements such as nutrients, hormones and antibodies that fight infection.
What is the function of amniotic fluid?
The function of amniotic fluid is:
- Protect the fetus: the liquid acts as a shock absorber, protects the baby and keeps it safe from outside pressure.
- Controlling temperature: fluids maintain normal temperatures, insulate, and keep babies warm.
- Controlling infection: fluids contain antibodies that can fight infection while protecting the fetus.
- Helps the development of the lungs and digestive system of the baby: as the baby develops, he practices using the system muscles through breathing and swallowing amniotic water.
- Helps the development of muscles and bones: this liquid creates an environment for babies to float freely, move and form muscles and bones well.
- Provides lubrication, prevents baby's body parts (fingers and toes) from sticking. If the amniotic fluid is too little, webbing can occur.
- Supporting the umbilical cord: in the presence of amniotic fluid, the umbilical cord in the uterus is not depressed. This ensures the fetus gets enough food and oxygen from the placenta.
Liquid samples taken through amniocentesis can determine gender, health status and fetal development.
Common problems with amniotic fluid
Normally, during the 34th week of pregnancy to 36, the amniotic fluid reaches its peak of around 800mL. Once the pregnancy continues to the day of delivery (around the 40th week), the level of amniotic fluid decreases to an average level of around 600 mL.
When the amniotic sac is torn, the maternal amniotic fluid ruptures, so the amniotic fluid comes out of the cervix and vagina. Amniotic fluid often breaks near the end of the first stage of labor.
There are some times when women have abnormal amounts of amniotic fluid. This condition requires extra care from a medical service provider. Disorders that affect amniotic fluid include:
Polyhydramnios
This condition is characterized by excessive amounts of amniotic fluid. Polyhydramnios can occur in cases of multiple pregnancies, hereditary anomalies and gestational diabetes.
Oligohydramnios
This disorder shows too little amniotic fluid. Oligohydramnios occurs in conditions such as late pregnancy, torn membranes, placental dysfunction, or abnormalities in the fetus.
KPD (premature rupture of membranes)
KPD is a condition in which the amniotic fluid has come out before the time of delivery. KPD can occur because of the level of collagen that functions to maintain a decreased fetal structure. Levels of collagen in the membranes can decrease, including due to infection and trauma.
