What is amniotic fluid and what are its functions
There are many new terms that the mother will have to become familiar with throughout pregnancy to understand and understand as much as possible that her pregnancy is going smoothly and normally.
In each medical consultation the specialist will recognize and measure the head, abdomen and femur of the fetus and of course, the amount of amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby. This fluid is a clear fluid that develops around the second week of conception inside the amniotic sac that surrounds the baby.
Measuring the amount of amniotic fluid in the sac is important to rule out complications such as oligohydramnios Y polyhydramnios that has to do with the defect or excess fluid that may be inside the amniotic sac or bag.
During the first trimester the amniotic fluid is composed of blood plasma from the mother with proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and phospholipids, electrolytes and urea and as the baby's urine develops it will become part of that fluid.
What is amniotic fluid?
The amniotic fluid consists of a fluid fluid that surrounds the embryo and subsequently the fetus, cushioning it inside the so-called amniotic sac. It is fundamental and very important, since in addition to cushioning the baby helps it to move inside the wall of the uterus without precisely these adjust too much to your body.
As indicated above, after fertilization, about two weeks after fertilization occurs, the amniotic sac begins to grow and fill, mainly with water. Then, after 10 weeks, the liquid contains lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, electrolytes and urea. All these substances help the development of the fetus.
What role does the amniotic fluid have?
The function and the work exerted by the amniotic fluid for the development of the fetus is fundamental, it allows the baby to move freely inside the bag, acting as a shock absorber against any shock or sudden movement, it helps to develop the lungs properly, it maintains its body temperature and of course, it feeds it providing ions and proteins.
The amount of amniotic fluid that is generated increases in week 34 of pregnancy, with an average of 800 ml and decreases from week 38 to reach 600 ml in week 40.
When the time of delivery comes, many mothers experience the water rupture, the amniotic fluid comes out of the womb and is when you have to go to the hospital normally, its color should be yellow or transparent indicating that everything is fine, but if it is accompanied by blood or green it is essential to go to the hospital urgently.
Its importance in carrying out amniocentesis
Thanks to the amniotic fluid the specialist can determine if there are complications or malformations in the fetal development, if this was the test of the amniocentesis it lets us know if there are problems with the health, development and sex of the fetus.
In fact, amniocentesis is a test or study that allows you to collect information about the baby's development, usually performed in order to determine if it has any genetic condition or disorder or a chromosomal abnormality, as for example could be the case of Down syndrome.
This test is carried out especially when the pregnancy is between weeks 16 and 22, and it is usually a study that tends to be performed when there is a greater risk that the baby may suffer a chromosomal problem or genetic. The reason is obvious: It is an invasive test that carries a risk -small- that a spontaneous abortion may occur.
On the other hand, we must also list other reasons why amniocentesis tends to be performed routinely. For example, to diagnose the possible existence of an intrauterine infection, to determine if the baby's lungs are mature enough (in case the pregnant woman is at risk of having a premature delivery, or if it should be carried forward), and control the well-being of the fetus in case of sensitization in the blood (condition that occurs when the blood type of the mother is different from that of the baby). This article is published for informational purposes only. It can not and should not replace the consultation with a Physician. We advise you to consult your Trusted Doctor.
