Oligohydramnios may be caused due to poor fetal growth, maternal health issues and post term pregnancy. This is associated with complications between the mother and baby. On the other hand, a sac with low amniotic fluid is known as oligohydramnios. Complications that can arise from this condition can include mothers going into labour early, the baby developing too quickly, the placenta detaching from the uterus or wrong positioning of the baby.įigure 1: Illustration of Polyhydramnios where the amniotic sac has excess amniotic fluid. T he common causes of polyhydramnios includes baby’s health problems involving the gastrointestinal or central nervous system, fetal anaemia where the baby is lacking red blood cells and hydrops fetalis which is the abnormal amount of fluid in the baby. This may occur if the baby in the womb does not swallow and absorb the fluid in normal amounts. The National Health Service (2020) states that having too much amniotic fluid in the sac is known as polyhydramnios. Conditions regarding the amount of amniotic fluid is known as polyhydramnios and oligohydramnios. When the baby is full term at 40 weeks, there is approximately 600 mL of amniotic fluid. How do I know how much amniotic fluid is in the sac?ĭuring your 20 week ultrasound, also known as the Morphology scan, your medical specialist will be able to assess the amount of fluid that is in the amniotic sac.ĭoes the amount of amniotic fluid in the sac matter?Īround 34 weeks is when the amniotic sac contains the most fluid during the pregnancy, averaging 800 mL. Did you know that the baby can taste and smell what you eat during your pregnancy? This is because the flavour molecules travels through the placenta into the amniotic fluid.Ĭute baby in placenta filled with amniotic fluid. When the baby is in the sac, they swallow the fluids and pass it through as urine which this process assists with the development of the digestive system. The fluid plays a large role in developing and growing the baby’s lungs, muscles and bones. Similarly, it also plays a role in insulation by keeping the baby’s temperature steady. The fluid acts as a cushion for incoming external impacts and also to fight infections. The main function of the amniotic fluid is protection of the baby. The amniotic fluid has many functions that contribute to the baby’s growth and development. What does the amniotic fluid do for the baby? In your later gestation period between the second and third trimester, nutrients such as lipids, peptides, carbohydrates and hormones mixes with 98% of the water.Ĭross-section of the womb highlighting the location of the amniotic fluid in blue. The fluid contains nutrients and hormones needed for the baby’s growth and development in the womb. Around the 20 week gestation period, the water is replaced by the baby’s urine. Initially, the amniotic fluid is made up mostly of water produced by the mother. When mothers go into labour their ‘water’ may break, this ‘water’ is actually the amniotic fluid.Īmniotic fluid isn’t just any water, it is a clear white, slightly yellowish fluid that surrounds the uterus within the amniotic sac during your pregnancy. Within 12 days after conceiving the baby, the amniotic fluid is formed inside the sac. When the baby is first conceived, it is located within the amniotic sac. WHAT IS AMNIOTIC FLUID? HOW DOES IT AFFECT MY PREGNANCY?Ĭongratulations on your new bundle of joy! As a new mother to be, it is important to know what’s happening in your body during your pregnancy.
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