A pregnant woman, probably the most beautiful,that nature has created. However, the pregnant woman is the most restless creature. And this, of course, is perfectly normal - after all, the future mother bears the burden of double responsibility - responsibility for the life and health of not only herself, but her baby. Women try to get as much as possible of various information, one way or another relating to the characteristics of the course of pregnancy, child development, possible complications. And the nearer the coveted "hour X" approaches, the more anxiety appears in the future mother. Nowadays it is not difficult to find all kinds of information about pregnancy and childbirth. However, not always a pregnant woman gets answers to all her questions. In particular, it concerns amniotic fluid. Find something sensible about amniotic fluid on the Internet is very difficult, and the knowledge of women is limited only by the fact that the passage of amniotic fluid indicates the onset of labor, and the leakage of amniotic fluid symptoms is very vague. In fact, amniotic fluid plays a huge role in the development of crumbs, can tell a lot about how the pregnancy went on and what can be expected in the process of giving birth. Of course, all this information is owned by obstetricians. However, most often they do not dedicate a pregnant woman to all the details, preferring to silently do their work. But nothing scares more than ignorance.
Volume of amniotic fluid
Constantly heated debate is about what shouldbe the volume of amniotic fluid. However, the opinions of physicians converge to the following figures. On the tenth week of pregnancy, the average volume of amniotic fluid (amniotic fluid) is about 35 milliliters. By the fourteenth week of pregnancy, this figure triples and is about 100 milliliters. And by the twentieth week of pregnancy, the volume of amniotic fluid reaches 400 milliliters. The largest volume of amniotic fluid happens, as a rule, at 38 weeks of pregnancy - about one and a half liters. But then, just before delivery, its volume can drop significantly, decreasing to 800 - 1000 milliliters. It is this factor that is one of the most unpleasant when the pregnancy is overdone - the amniotic fluid.
Appointment of amniotic fluid
Many women mistakenly believe thatamniotic fluid is ordinary water, in which there is a crumb. However, this is not quite true. Indeed, approximately 98% of the amniotic fluid consists of ordinary distilled water. However, amniotic fluid is a biologically active medium of crumbs. Amniotic fluid contains a large number of active substances, lipids, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, etc. At a small period of pregnancy, amniotic fluid does not have color and is completely transparent. However, as the pregnancy progresses, the composition of amniotic fluid changes very much. In the amniotic fluid get potto - fatty discharge, dying off the upper layer of the epidermis (skin), pushkin hairs of crumbs. Because of this amniotic fluid is cloudy. In addition to the shade of the amniotic fluid, as the baby grows, its chemical composition also changes. The only thing that remains unchanged is the pH level. It always corresponds to the pH levels of the baby's blood. This is what allows the correct pregnancy to flow properly, and the baby develop normally. The amniotic fluid itself is also regularly updated throughout the pregnancy, as the so-called circular metabolism in the pregnant woman's body does not stop for a minute, affecting not only the mother's body, but also the baby. It is through this circular exchange that the fetus feeds - the nutrients from the mother's organism enter the crumbs with the participation of the placenta, the products of vital activity are derived from the fetal organism and oxygen is transported to the baby's cells. And it is this process of circular metabolism that provides regular updating of the amniotic fluid. The speed of this process is amazing. In the event that the pregnancy proceeds safely, and the expectant mother does not suffer from any chronic diseases and feels well, the rate of circular metabolic processes reaches about half a liter of amniotic fluid per hour. It is easy to calculate that with the volume of amniotic fluid at 38 weeks of pregnancy, when their amount equals one and a half liters of water, their complete substitution occurs in about three hours. There are metabolic processes with the direct participation of both the placenta and the membranes. In addition, the child also takes a direct part in the renewal of amniotic fluid. In the first half of pregnancy, the amniotic fluid easily penetrates the fetus, and only by about the 23rd week of pregnancy the baby's skin reaches such a stage of its formation that the skin becomes impermeable to the amniotic fluid and any other liquid. At this stage the skin metabolism of the fetus is over. However, at the beginning of the 24th week of pregnancy, the baby begins to regularly swallow the amniotic fluid. He does this with a very specific goal - swallowing the amniotic fluid allows you to exercise both the digestive and the excretory system of the fetus. For a day the baby, thus, processes up to one and a half liters of liquid. In addition, the amniotic fluid enters the baby's body one more way - during the execution of a small amount of respiratory movements. Thus, about 800 milliliters of amniotic fluid passes through the baby's lungs in one day only.
Ambulatory water - what are they for?
Very often, women ask a question about whyDo I need an amniotic fluid? Is it really necessary for the development of the baby? The answer is unequivocal - yes. Ambulatory waters perform many very different functions - both protective, and developing, and maternity. Below, we described each of them in more detail:
- Thermoregulatory function
Amniotic fluid from the very first dayscreates in the womb an ideal temperature for fetal development - 27 degrees Celsius. And any external factors - hypothermia of a pregnant woman or a slight increase in temperature as a result of a disease, will not affect the baby, since the temperature inside the fetal bladder is regulated by the amniotic fluid. Of course, the amniotic fluid can not withstand radical changes in temperature, but in general they successfully cope with their task - regulate the temperature.
- Immune protection
As mentioned earlier, in the amnioticliquid contains a huge amount of a variety of biologically active substances. Including in a number of these substances there are also varieties of many immunoglobulins. It is these immunoglobulins that reliably protect the fetus from possible damage to various pathogenic microflora. A pathogenic bacteria that can damage the health of the crumbs and even endanger his life, very much even in the body of an absolutely healthy woman. The amniotic fluid in pregnant women reduces the risk almost to zero.
- Mechanical protective function
The amniotic fluid is wonderfulnatural shock absorber for crumbs. They reliably protect the crumb from mechanical influences. After all, no matter how careful the future mother tried to be careful, in life everything happens - they can push on the bus, and sometimes you can just slip and fall. The amniotic fluid, however, will significantly soften the mechanical effect on the baby and protect it.
- Umbilical cord protection function
Another very important function of amnioticfluid is the protection of the umbilical cord. Due to the presence of amniotic fluid, the situation in which the umbilical cord contracts between the walls of the uterus and the baby's body is almost completely eliminated. Such compression is extremely dangerous, since it can lead to a violation of the correct development of the fetus due to lack of nutrients, to hypoxia due to lack of oxygen and even fetal death.
- Hermetic isolation from infectious agents
In addition to immunoglobulins, the fetal bladder is reliablyProtects crumbs from penetration of infectious agents. All the necessary substances and oxygen are easily delivered to the crumb through the placenta, but the path to the infectious agents has been ordered.
- Obstruction to splice the body parts of crumbs
Due to the fact that the amniotic fluid is in the fetal bladder, the situation in which the fetal membranes themselves grows up to the baby's body is excluded.
- Ensuring harmonious development
Presence of amniotic fluid in sufficient quantityensures the correct development of internal organs and entire systems of the baby. For example, with the help of an amniotic fluid, the correct formation and subsequent development of the entire respiratory system occurs. Immediately after the formation of the baby's chest and the possibility of its movement, the amniotic fluid allows the fetus to mimic respiratory movements, thereby helping the development and training of the lungs. If the child does not perform such exercises on a daily basis, he will not be able to breathe independently, having appeared in the light. Almost the same applies to the digestive and excretory systems. Swallowing the amniotic fluid, the little one trains his stomach and intestines to digest food, and the excretory system - to get rid of the products of life. This is extremely important for successful intrauterine development of crumbs and life after birth. The child begins to swallow the amniotic fluid from about the 14th week of pregnancy. And from about the same age, the kidney buds begin to produce urine, which is still sterile.
- Support of metabolism
The amniotic fluid participates in the most direct wayin the metabolism. In the amniotic fluid also contains a huge amount of oxygen and nutrients, so necessary for the normal development of crumbs. It is the amniotic fluid that fully supplies the baby with proteins, fats and carbohydrates, enzymes, hormones, glucose and other substances.
- Providing conditions for the physical development of the child
Ambulatory water is a kind of poolfor crumbs. The child has the opportunity, without any difficulty, to move inside the uterus cavity as he would like. The exception is the length of the pregnancy, when the child becomes too large and does not have enough space in the uterus. However, in this case, amniotic fluid also allows the crumb to change the position of the body without much effort.
- Ensuring the correct formation of the fetal circulatory system
Another very important function of amnioticfluid is the correct formation of the fetal circulatory system and its subsequent functioning, including this indicator. Like normal blood clotting. This is due to those substances that are contained in the amniotic fluid - in particular fibrinolysin and thromboplastin.
- Prevention of bleeding during pregnancy and childbirth
Thanks to its enzymes, amniotic fluidhas the property to fold blood, thereby effectively preventing bleeding, both during pregnancy and during labor. This feature of amniotic fluid has saved more than one thousand lives, both toddlers and their mothers.
- Easing the childbirth process
In addition to all of the above, amniotic fluidare of no small importance during delivery. Thanks to them, the fetus occupies the right position in the lower part of the uterus. And the cervix of the uterus under the pressure of a fetal bladder filled with amniotic fluid, opens much faster and painlessly than when the waters have already moved away. 
What can amniotic fluid tell?
As already clear from all that has been said - amnioticthe liquid is a biologically active habitat for crumbs, so it reacts very sensitively to the slightest changes in the child's physical condition. Doctors use this feature of amniotic fluid for diagnostic purposes. Assessing the condition and composition of amniotic fluid, doctors can monitor the condition of both mother and baby, in time detecting abnormalities. Even the volume of the amniotic fluid, which can be easily determined by ultrasound, can say a lot. There are deviations from the norm, such as malnutrition and polyhydramnios. These abnormalities should be detected as soon as possible and a corrective therapy should be prescribed, because the amount of amniotic fluid is also very important. Another method of studying amniotic fluid is amnioscopy. Under amnioscopy is meant a visual examination and examination of the lower part of the fetal bladder. If the obtained data is not enough for doctors, they can resort to another method of diagnosis - to amniocentesis. Amniocentesis is a diagnostic puncture of the membranes to take a sample of the amniotic fluid to assess its color and composition. For this purpose, a woman with a special needle is punctured (puncture) either in the lower part of the abdominal wall or in the posterior vaginal fornix. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia and does not bring crumbs and his mother any harm. Another important study of amniotic fluid, which can save a child's life, is a study that determines the presence and level in the amniotic fluid of phospholipids. In order for the lungs to fully open during the inhalation, the correct optimal ratio of the level of sphingomyelin and lecithin in the blood in the crumb is needed. Only if this condition is met will the child be able to breathe on his own. In addition to the maturity of the respiratory system, the maturity of the urinary system, in particular, the kidneys, is equally important for the survival of the newborn baby. Based on the analysis of the amniotic fluid, it is also possible to establish the degree of maturity of the kidneys of the baby - the level of concentration in the amniotic fluid of such a hormone, as creatinine, reliably testifies to it. Its small content indicates that the kidneys of the child are not yet mature enough and can not cope fully with the functions assigned to them. This information that amniotic fluid can provide is very important if there are deviations in the normal course of pregnancy and the condition of the pregnant woman is severe and can even threaten not only her health but also her life - for example, severe form of gestosis in which delivery need as soon as possible. Doctors on the condition of amniotic fluid evaluate the maturity of the fetus and its willingness to exist outside the uterine cavity - and that is why the analysis of amniotic fluid sometimes saves lives. Doctors - gynecologists, in the event that the fetus is not yet mature enough, and the condition of the woman is such that the continuation of the pregnancy becomes impossible, begin to administer medications to the pregnant woman, which accelerate the maturation of both the lungs and the kidneys of the fetus. Incidentally, doctors also calculate the dose of these drugs and the duration of the treatment course on the basis of a laboratory study of the amniotic fluid. Very many women sometimes refuse the proposed studies, believing that doctors are simply reinsured, or fearing for the health of their baby, because they believe that these studies can harm the crumbs. Often these fears are artificially fueled by various fables about the allegedly terrible danger of these procedures, in most cases leading to the loss of the child. These stories are passed from mouth to mouth in the circle of expectant mothers. And they completely distort reality. In fact, you can not refuse them, in any case, because they are conducted strictly on certain indications in those cases when the doctor believes that there is a real threat to the health and life of the mother or her baby. Believe me, no doctor will designate such studies for nothing, without good reason.
Leakage of amniotic fluid
Nature is very wise - it is envisaged thatThe membranes were airtight until the onset of the birth process. Normally, during pregnancy, amniotic fluid does not leak, under any circumstances. However, sometimes, under the influence of any external factors, such as falling or other gross physical impact, can result in fetal bladder tearing and, as a consequence, leakage of amniotic fluid of varying intensity, depending on the degree of damage to the fetal bladder. The leakage of amniotic fluid begins, the signs of which are noticed by pregnant women. However, very often future mothers begin to panic terribly, finding wet spots on their underwear. Women believe that they began leakage of amniotic fluid. However, in most cases, these spots are in no way connected with the leakage of amniotic fluid, but due to absolutely other factors. First, the longer the gestation period, the more abundant the woman becomes with vaginal discharge. And secondly, for longer periods of pregnancy, the muscles of the pelvic organs, including the bladder, relax, which makes it possible to easily incontinence. In order to independently clarify the situation, a woman needs to make a test for leakage of amniotic fluid at home: go to the toilet and completely empty the bladder, wash and dry yourself. Prilyagte on the bed, before bedding a clean dry sheet. Track your condition - if in the next 15 minutes a damp spot appears on it, immediately call an ambulance team - physicians know exactly how to determine the leakage of amniotic fluid. Leakage of amniotic fluid is a very alarming signal in the event that the pregnancy has not reached its logical conclusion. And in the event that the term of appearance of crumbs has come to light, the leakage of amniotic fluid is a signal for the mother that the term of labor has come. That is why it is unacceptable to ignore this phenomenon in any case. After all, if the duration of pregnancy is not large enough for a baby to appear, damage to the fetal bladder can lead to penetration into the fetal membranes of the pathogenic microflora, infection and death of the fetus. Doctors in this case will take amniotic fluid to assess the degree of maturity of the lungs and kidneys of crumbs. In the event that they are mature enough to allow the crumb to exist outside the uterus, doctors will stimulate the onset of labor, in order to avoid infection of the fetus. In the same case, if the lungs do not reach the minimum possible degree of maturity, doctors will try to prolong the pregnancy as long as possible. For the baby, a single extra day spent in the maternal tummy may become decisive, if the passage of the amniotic fluid can not be stopped. All this time, both mom and baby will be under the strictest control of medical personnel. To prevent infection of crumbs, which has lost its natural habitat - amniotic fluid, doctors will conduct special antibiotic therapy aimed at the destruction of the alien pathogenic microflora. A woman at the same time must strictly observe a strict bed rest regime - this determines the successful outcome of pregnancy. Typically, this way doctors manage to win one to two weeks, during which light crumbs can ripen. However, doctors occupy not only a wait-and-see attitude - throughout this time a pregnant woman receives special injections of a hormonal drug that greatly speeds up the maturation process of the baby's respiratory and urinary systems. Typically, this tactic of maintaining pregnancy brings very, very good results in the event that the pregnant woman leaks amniotic fluid.
Color amniotic fluid
However, pregnant women should not be sharpenedattention to the premature escape of amniotic fluid - this phenomenon, although it has a place to be, but not so often - no more than one case for 30,000 pregnancies. Most often, amniotic fluid goes to the most suitable and foreseen moment in nature - from 38 to 40 weeks of pregnancy, when the development of crumbs is completely completed, and it is ready to be born - it is at this time the leakage of amniotic fluid begins before birth. However, in time the amniotic fluid that has passed can tell the doctor and the expectant mother a lot of information concerning the condition of the baby. Very often assessment of color and transparency of amniotic fluid helps doctors to make the right decision and decide on the tactics of giving birth. So, what can we tell this water traffic light - the color of the amniotic fluid? However, when assessing the condition of a pregnant woman by color, remember that amniotic fluid with a suspension is a physiological norm.
- Ambulatory water of yellow color
In the event that the pregnant woman has leftwater, which are yellow and slightly unclear, there is no cause for concern. Approximately this they should be in the normal course of pregnancy. Mom can safely get together and get to the maternity hospital, from which she will return with her long-awaited little happiness.
- Ambulatory yellow waters with red patches
Sometimes amniotic fluid has a natural yellowtint, however, having looked narrowly, the pregnant woman can notice in them red veins. If you feel good, you do not bother, and you start to feel contractions - you do not need to get scared. In 99% of cases, these veins are only a consequence of the fact that the cervix began to open and indicates only that the birth process is going according to plan.
- Green color of amniotic fluid
But in the event that the departed amniotic fluidthe water is green, the woman and the doctors must sound the alarm, since this is a signal of serious problems in the crumbs. Green color of the amniotic fluid occurs in two cases - if intrauterine defecation occurred, or if the amniotic fluid was too small. Meconium in the amniotic fluid can lead to the development of crumbs of congenital pneumonia. In addition, in either case, the baby suffers from hypoxia - intrauterine starvation. A woman who noticed that the amniotic fluid has a green tint should get to the hospital as soon as possible and be sure to inform the doctors that the amniotic fluid is green, as timely measures will help to keep the health and even the life of the baby.
- Dark brown color of amniotic fluid
The amniotic water of a dark brown color, alas,color of great misfortune. This color in almost all cases indicates an intrauterine death of a crumb. And in this case it is about saving the life of a woman. However, in our time such cases are so rare that it is pointless to talk about it. With regular supervision of a gynecologist, all problems are detected in a timely manner and amniotic fluid during pregnancy reflects the condition of the woman.
- Amblerous waters of red hue
The red color of amniotic fluid is the color of a seriousdanger for both mother and baby. Most often, a red or pink shade of amniotic fluid occurs as a result of the ingress of blood in the bleeding, either from the mother or the baby. You understand how dangerous it is for mother and child. If such a situation overtook you, your actions should be the following - immediately take a horizontal position and in no case do not move. Native should immediately call an ambulance brigade. During the call, be sure (!) Tell the dispatcher that the pregnant woman has had amniotic fluid of red color. As a rule, in this case a resuscitative car comes to the pregnant woman, equipped with everything necessary to provide emergency help to mother and baby, and not an ordinary ambulance. In no case should you try to deliver the pregnant woman yourself to the hospital, even if it is in a neighboring house. Any careless movement can cause death of crumbs and even his mother! Remember that this is about two human lives. For the sake of justice, it should be noted that such cases are also rare, mainly if the pregnant woman is seriously injured due to an accident, a fall or other emergency. Basically, all pregnancies end with the first cry of crumbs and bottomless tenderness in my mother's eyes. Light of your birth and boundless happiness! We advise you to read:
