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.
unborn baby (fetus) during pregnancy. It is contained in the amniotic sac.
How does amniotic fluid keep your baby healthy?
During pregnancy, your uterus is filled with amniotic fluid. Here’s what the fluid does:
- Cushions and protects your baby
- Keeps a steady temperature around your baby
- Helps your baby’s lungs grow and develop because your baby breathes in the fluid
- Helps your baby’s digestive system develop because your baby swallows the fluid
- Helps your baby’s muscles and bones develop because your baby can move around
- in the fluid
- Keeps the umbilical cord (the cord that carries food and oxygen from the placenta
- to your baby) from being squeezed
How much amniotic fluid should there be?
The amount of amniotic fluid increases until about 36 weeks of pregnancy.
At that time, it makes up about 1 quart. After that, the amount of amniotic
fluid usually begins to decrease.
Sometimes you can have too little or too much amniotic fluid. Too little fluid
is called oligohydramnios. Too much fluid is called polyhydramnios. Either one
can cause problems for a pregnant woman and her baby. Even with these
conditions, though, most babies are born healthy.
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