Everything you need to know about amniotic fluid for pregnant women

You may recognize amniotic fluid as a sign that pregnant women will soon give birth. However, do you know where amniotic fluid comes from and what does it do for mother and fetus? Come on, learn the ins and outs of the following amniotic fluid.

What is the amniotic fluid?

During pregnancy when the baby is still a growing fetus in the womb, the fetus is surrounded by a clear, slightly yellowish colored fluid. 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 that is produced by the mother. After that, after about the 20th week of pregnancy, the amniotic fluid is completely replaced with fetal urine (the baby swallows the fluid and excretes it). However, urine is not the only component of amniotic fluid as it consists of other essential elements such as nutrients, hormones and infection-fighting antibodies.

What is the function of the amniotic?

The functions of the amniotic fluid are:

• Protects the fetus: fluid acts as a shock absorber, protects the baby and keeps it safe from external pressure.
• Controlling temperature: the fluid maintains a normal temperature, insulates and keeps the baby warm.
• Controls 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 exercises using the muscles of the system through breathing and swallowing amniotic fluid.
• Helps muscle and bone development: this fluid creates an environment for baby to float freely, move, and build muscles and bones properly.
• Provides lubrication, prevents parts of the baby's body (fingers and toes) from sticking. If the amniotic fluid is too little, webbing can occur.
• Umbilical cord support: in the presence of amniotic fluid, the umbilical cord in the uterus is not compressed. This ensures that the fetus gets adequate food and oxygen intake from the placenta.

The fluid sample taken by amniocentesis can determine the sex, health status and development of the fetus.

Common problems with amniotic fluid

Normally, at the 34th to 36th week of pregnancy, the amniotic water content reaches its peak, which is around 800mL. As the pregnancy progresses to the day of delivery (around week 40), the amniotic fluid level decreases to an average level of about 600 mL.

When the amniotic sac tears, the mother's amniotic fluid breaks, so that the amniotic fluid comes out of the cervix and vagina. The amniotic fluid often breaks near the end of the first stage of labor.

There are times when women have an abnormal amount of amniotic fluid. This condition requires extra care from a medical service provider. Disturbances that affect amniotic fluid include:

Polyhydramnios

This condition is characterized by an excess amount of amniotic fluid. Polyhydramnios can occur in cases of multiple pregnancy, hereditary anomalies and gestational diabetes.

Oligohydramnios

This disorder indicates 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 is released before the time for delivery. PROM can occur because the level of collagen which functions to maintain amniotic structure decreases. Collagen levels in the amniotic fluid can decrease in part due to infection and trauma.

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