Definition of Amniotic Fluid:
Amniotic fluid is a clear, slightly yellowish liquid that surrounds the unborn baby (fetus) during pregnancy. It is contained in the amniotic sac. Amniotic fluid is the protective liquid contained by the amniotic sac of a gravid Amniotes. This fluid serves as a cushion for the growing fetus, but also serves to facilitate the exchange of nutrients, water, and biochemical products between mother and fetus.
Source or Origin of Amniotic Fluid:
Amniotic fluid comes from both fetal and maternal origin.
- Transudation from the maternal serum across the placental membrane.
- Transudation from fetal circulation across the umbilical cord or placental membranes.
- Secretion from the amniotic epithelium.
- Transudation of fetal plasma through highly permeable fetal skin before it is keratinized at 20th week.
- Fetal urine- daily output at term is about 400-1200 ml.
- Fetal lung fluid that enters the amniotic cavity to add to its volume.
Functions of Amniotic Fluid:
It includes the following:
- The fluid allows the baby to move around while it is developing. This movement allows for bone and muscle development.
- The fetus breathes the fluid in and out, allowing it to practice breathing and to aid in lung development.
- The fluid also helps to keep the fetus nice and warm by keeping heat in. It also helps to keep the temperature consistent.
- The fluid offers protection from any blows that may come to the uterus area. It may cushion the blow if the mother falls.
- When the fetus swallows the amniotic fluid, it is practicing using and developing the digestive system.
- It keeps the umbilical cord from being squeezed too hard. A big squeeze could cut off the nutritional supply from the mother to the baby.
- The amniotic fluids act as lubricant. The fetus growing body parts are very fragile and could grow together, such as in the case of webbed fingers or toes.
- Amniotic fluids helps protect the baby from bumps and potential injury.
- Amniotic fluids also contain important nutrients, hormones and antibodies.
Clinical Significance of Amniotic Fluid:
It includes:
- Study of the amniotic fluids provides useful information about the wellbeing & also maturity of the fetus.
- Intra- amniotic instillation of chemicals are used as method of induction of abortion.
- Excess or less volume of liquor amnii is assessed by amniotic fluids index (AF) which helps to diagnose polyhydramnios or oligohydramnios.
- Rupture of membrane with drainage of liquor is a helpful method in induction of labour.
Clinical Importance of Color of Amniotic Fluid:
It includes:
1. Meconium stained (green):
Suggestive of fetal distress in presentation other than the breech or transverse. Depending upon the degree and duration of the distress, it may be thin or thick or, pea soups (thick with flakes). Thick With prsence of flakes suggests chronic fetal distress.
2.Golden colour in RH incompatibility is due to excessive haemolysis of the fetal RBC and production of excess bilirubin
3. Greenish yellow (saffron) in post maturity.
4. Dark color: Found in concealed accidental haemorrhage (due to contamination of blood).
5. Tobacco juice or dark brown color: Found in IUD. The dark color is due to frequent presence of old HbA.
Maria Khatun Mona is a Founder and Editor of Nursing Exercise Blog. She is a Nursing and Midwifery Expert. Currently she is working as a Registered Nurse at Evercare Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. She has great passion in writing different articles on Nursing and Midwifery. Mail her at “[email protected]”
