Loss of amniotic fluid in pregnancy

Amniotic fluid is the fluid that envelops the baby in the amniotic sac and protects and cushions not only from external injuries, but also from the pressure exerted by their own organs. In addition, it keeps the baby's temperature, allows him to move and provides him with protein. Up to week 34 or 3

Amniotic fluid is the fluid that envelops the baby in the amniotic sac and protects and cushions not only from external injuries, but also from the pressure exerted by their own organs.

In addition, it keeps the baby's temperature, allows him to move and provides him with protein. Up to week 34 or 36 of pregnancy, there is the same amount of amniotic fluid, although its composition changes but, starting at week 38, the amount begins to decrease. We tell you when it is normal for a loss of amniotic fluid to happen,when not, and what we should do.

What amniotic fluid is and what it is used for in pregnancy

It is the yellowish fluid that surrounds the baby throughout the pregnancy. Its composition, however, is changing over the weeks of gestation.

At first it is liquid that comes from the blood plasma of the mother, but from the second trimester, the baby also intervenes in the production of amniotic fluid since the baby swallows it and expels it through the urine, so it is renewed several times a day.

The fluid must be present throughout the pregnancy, it is not normal to lose it before the pregnancy has reached its end and, if it happens, it is important to go as soon as possible to the emergency services to assess the situation.

If it is normal to leave when delivery is imminent, in that case, the woman will feel a yellow or transparent liquid coming out of the genitals that can be easily differentiated from the loss of urine because the flow is constant and is accentuated with the movements.

In which cases loss of amniotic fluid can occur

If the loss of amniotic fluid occurs earlier than what is considered a term delivery, that is, before the 37th week of pregnancy, the experts will recommend the entry of the pregnant to treat it and try to prolong pregnancy with drugs. In this way, they will help the baby's lung maturation. The bag can break:

- It is normal for the amniotic bag to break during labor, in fact it is a sign that the baby's birth is close. Even in some occasions it will be the medical personnel who will have to break the bag so that the delivery advances.

- An intra intramnniotic infection can weaken the membranes of the amniotic sac and cause its rupture. - An

amniocentesis can also facilitate rupture of the bag. In case the fluid that comes out is not transparent or yellow but greenish in color, it is important to go to the hospital urgently, as there could be fetal distress. And it is that the baby could have expelled meconium during pregnancy, the first deposition that usually done once born.