The origin and composition of the amniotic fluid

The nine months of pregnancy, the baby is in the womb surrounded by amniotic fluid, which create favorable conditions to it, shielding against external influences, creating the possibility of free movement, warming and comforting him. After the amniotic fluid is an exchange of substances between the fetus and the mother.

Amniotic fluid or amniotic fluid - a liquid in the periconceptional bag, which is enclosed in the fruit. Amniotic fluid is the body area communication between mother and child during the nine months. Amniotic fluid creates habitat for a growing child, ensure its growth and development.

Amniotic fluid at different stages of pregnancy are produced from various sources, but they are the main source to the development of the placenta is the secret of epithelial amnion (bag of membranes). Since the establishment of the utero-placental circulation amniotic fluid is mainly a maternal blood plasma filtrate. The amount of amniotic fluid increases with increasing gestational age: 6 weeks - 5 ml, 10 - weeks - 30 ml at 20 weeks - 300 ml at 30 weeks - 600 ml, to the 38th week - 1000 ml, by the end of pregnancy - over 600 ml. The amount of amniotic fluid is less than 600 ml is called oligohydramnios more - polyhydramnios.

The character of amniotic fluid also changes during pregnancy: colorless and transparent at the beginning, at the end of pregnancy they become turbid due to the ingress of particles separated from the surface of the fruit. The composition of the amniotic fluid is updated every two hours. It is composed of proteins and free amino acids, urea, hormones (steroid hormones, human chorionic gonadotropin - pregnancy hormone), minerals (sodium, chlorine, potassium, phosphorus, calcium), vitamins Vitamins for everyone   (A, C, group B), enzymes. After four months of pregnancy, amniotic fluid appears insulin - the hormone that regulates carbohydrate metabolism.

The physiological significance of amniotic fluid

Metabolism between mother and fetus occurs during pregnancy. The value of amniotic fluid in the metabolism of the fetus derives from their chemical composition, which in turn depends on the exchange of substances between the amniotic fluid and maternal blood (through the amnion). Initially pregnancy amniotic fluid to enter the body primarily through the fetal skin and lungs, but in the second half of pregnancy is the main route of ingress of water into the body of the fetus becomes gastrointestinal tract (fetus ingests water). Amniotic fluid can also be absorbed in the placenta and enter the bloodstream of the fetus therefrom. Fetal urine is released into the amniotic fluid.

Another important factor is the protective function of the amniotic fluid, they protect the child from injury and maintain the consistency of the medium surrounding the fetus. In the second half of pregnancy, the fetus becomes mobile, it would be difficult to move without hurting themselves, if not the amniotic fluid. When the amount of amniotic fluid is below normal (oligohydramnios) possible merging of the fruit with the amnion, which entails the formation of the fetus malformations.

Amniotic fluid during childbirth

At 38-40 weeks of pregnancy the amniotic fluid are divided into front (they are in the amnion below the touch the baby's head to the pelvis mother) and rear (wash the body and the lower part of the baby's head). If malposition (oblique or transverse) of water remain one.

Amniotic fluid, pushing the bottom of the uterus, cervix promoting disclosure and enhancing the contraction of muscles of the uterus. Premature discharge of amniotic fluid often causes premature termination of pregnancy and premature delivery.

Why do I need to explore the amniotic fluid

Sometimes, in order to assess the state of readiness of the child and the mother's body for childbirth performed amniocentesis - puncture the membranes of the bag, and take some of the amniotic fluid for testing. In the laboratory, studying the cellular composition of the amniotic fluid, determined the blood group Blood type   and Rh factor. The amniotic fluid determine the content of protein fractions, enzymes, steroids, bilirubin. We study the carbohydrate, amino acid, fat and electrolyte composition of the amniotic fluid and acid-base balance. Simultaneous study of enzymes and chemical components of amniotic fluid can more accurately determine the gestational age and maturity of the fetus.

The study of acid-base balance of amniotic fluid makes it possible to judge the state of the fetus in the perenashivanie, late toxicosis, Rh-conflict pregnancy diabetes Diabetes   - This speaks strongly acidic reaction.

Chromosome analysis of amniotic fluid cells allows you to set the degree of damage to the fetus as a result of the impact of various factors.

Amniotic fluid - an important source of information and natural defense mechanism in pregnancy.

Galina Romanenko

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