Leakage of amniotic fluid: water breakdown or risk?
During a pregnancy, it is possible to have small losses of amniotic fluid, that is the fluid present inside the amniotic sac in which the fetus is immersed for all 9 months before delivery. You know, the mother must always have a keen eye to understand herself and her baby bump. Or to avoid a whole host of things that aren't good for pregnancy, check out the video below.
A distinction must certainly be made between small leaks, which can be without consequences even if premature, and major leaks that can have complications such as a too low fluid level (oligohydramnios) or be symptomatic of the PROM, i.e. a premature rupture of the sac membranes. amniotic before the baby is in the right position to be born. But let's deepen this discourse without alarming us.
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What is amniotic fluid?
Amniotic fluid is a fluid present inside the amniotic sac (amnios) contained in the uterus. This liquid contributes to the growth and nourishment of the baby, protects it and maintains the proper temperature. In the first 12 days it is basically composed of water produced by the mother through the plasma. At around 20 weeks of pregnancy, it will be composed of the urine excreted by the fetus (fetal urine) which is extremely nutritious and useful for the development of antibodies. It is also essential during childbirth because it helps the fetus to escape.
What amniotic fluid is for
So let's see what are the main characteristics and functions of amniotic fluid:
- nourish the fetus through mineral salts, lipids and proteins
- protect the fetus and umbilical cord from external physical pressures
- maintain the right temperature
- help the development of the digestive system, lungs as well as muscles and bones
- prevent the growth of attached hands and feet through lubrication
In short, this fluid is of fundamental importance during pregnancy.
Rupture of water and amniotic fluid
In fact, when we talk about the breaking of the waters, known by all as the moment when labor begins and the mother prepares with the contractions for childbirth, it is not the waters that break! In fact, we refer to the rupture of the membranes of the amniotic sac and the consequent leakage of the amniotic fluid, so it seems that there is a consistent (not necessarily all of a sudden but also gradual) leakage of water from the vagina. Basically, the breaking of the waters heralds labor and delivery of 24 maximum 48 hours, so it is good to go quickly to the hospital. On the way, a sanitary pad can be used to support the loss of amniotic fluid.
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Amniotic fluid: what is the right amount?
As we have seen, amniotic fluid is of fundamental importance for the development and nourishment of the fetus. The amount of fluid present in the amnion is constantly increasing until the 36th week, when it reaches its maximum level. Let's see how much fluid must be present in the amniotic sac depending on the week of pregnancy:
- 12th week 60 ml
- 16th week 175 ml
- 34-48th week from 400 to 1,200 ml
Towards the end of pregnancy, the amount of fluid will begin to decrease until the water (or the amniotic membranes) rupture, in which the leakage will be abundant and preparatory to childbirth. During pregnancy, the doctor will check the fluid present in the uterus through ultrasound, to check whether the level is normal or if one of these complications related to a change in fluid deficiency or excess occurs:
- oligodramnios, a condition that affects about 1% of pregnancies, in which the level of amniotic fluid present in the sac is low. This situation can occur for various pathological factors of both the mother and the fetus. For example, the mother may have a high permeability of the membranes or excessive resorption due to vaginal infections; or the fetus may have a delay or a malformation in the development of the urinary tract. Another element to keep under control is the PROM, or the premature rupture of the amnion membranes, which can be verified through a test.
- polyhydramnios, a condition that affects about 3% of pregnancies in which the amount of amniotic fluid is too high. This condition may be due to gestational diabetes, most often associated with an increase in fetal urine production, or due to reduced fetal swallowing or infectious diseases.
For this reason it is very important to monitor the fluid level, so that prompt action can be taken.
How to distinguish amniotic fluid leaks from other leaks
The distinction between leaks of amniotic fluid and other types of fluids, such as vaginal fluid or urine leakage, common during pregnancy, is not very simple because they can be confused. We know that urine leaks have a yellowish color and a specific odor. Amniotic fluid, on the other hand, is odorless, warm, and may have white spots or small amounts of mucus or blood. The vaginal ones can be just as white or yellowish. A difference can make it the fact that vaginals will hardly wet the underwear, which those of amniotic can do. It is not easy to make this distinction, so it is important to rely on your gynecologist who will be able to carry out adequate tests able to understand if we are facing a case of PROM.
Premature loss of amniotic fluid
Leaking amniotic fluid in some quantity can be a symptom of a premature rupture of the amniotic sac membrane (PROM), which occurs in about 3% of pregnancies. In this circumstance, the rupture occurs before the fetus is in the correct position to be born. If premature rupture occurs before the term expires, it is referred to as PPROM. In both cases, it is essential to contact your doctor immediately in order to intervene promptly and not run the risks associated with these complications.
