Author of the article - an obstetrician Grigorieva Xenia S.
Amniotic fluid or amniotic fluid - a natural environment for the life and development of the fetus in the womb.
The main functions of the fetal waters:
Protection.
- First of all the water to protect the child from negative microorganisms, as the fetal bladder is sealed, and the liquid itself is sterile. Also, the amniotic fluid provides safety to the fetus from mechanical influences from the external environment. For example, in the fall of a pregnant woman. Besides water muffle the loud noise from the outside.
Food.
- Fetal water contains in its composition a lot of nutrients and nutrients (proteins, fats, vitamins, glucose, salt and hormones). On small stages of pregnancy they are absorbed through the skin, in the later weeks of the child swallows them.
Metabolism.
- The child not only receives nutrients from the amniotic fluid, but also highlights the processed products in them. Amniotic fluid is normally completely renewed every 3 hour.
Participation in labor.
- Water front in childbirth put pressure on the cervix, contributing to its disclosure. they also provide an easier passage of the fetus through the birth canal.
The outpouring of water after 37 weeks gestation (full-term) is considered physiological when the onset of labor. With the proviso that the cervix is exposed and ready for labor.
If water leakage occurs earlier, it is alarming and is a pathology. In this case, there is a great risk of infection. But the time to be preventative measures to help avoid this.
Causes
The causes of water leakage may be several:
Infection.
- Pathogens can lead to thinning of membranes, so there is a risk of rupture or crack formation.
cervical insufficiency (CIN).
- This pathology, in which the cervix is not able to cope with the obturator function, that is, to keep the fetus in the uterus. Therefore, there is the risk of rupture of membranes. In order to prevent with cervical incompetence sutured to the cervix or install pessary. Pregnant with such pathology should be supervised by doctors with bed rest.
Some diagnostic tests.
- For example, amniocentesis or cordocentesis. Their conduct genetic indications. In these procedures, a physician with the consent of the woman gently pierces the fetal bladder to detect the disease. When cordocentesis taken from the umbilical cord blood for analysis, and by amniocentesis - amniotic fluid.
Multiple pregnancy or polyhydramnios.
- These factors increase the pressure on the fetal bladder and cervix, so the gap may occur.
Some pathology.
- These include: mechanical trauma during pregnancy, malposition and so forth. And the reason for pathology can become bad habits mother (smoking, alcohol).
Symptoms and signs of water leakage
Signs that indicate the leakage of fetal treatment:
- vaginal discharge becomes more liquid, such as water;
- when moving or changing the position of pregnant clearly feels discharge water from the genital tract, especially if it is slightly tighter wherein;
- if a large rupture of membranes, the water will flow stream;
- abdominal circumference is somewhat reduced.
Diagnostics
Leakage of amniotic fluid can be determined in the home. There are special tests, which can be purchased at any pharmacy.
The tests are of two kinds:
- test strip.
- test pad.
The mechanism of action have the same - change the definition environment (Ph) into the vagina. After contact with the amniotic fluid of the test (at a certain area), it is colored in blue-green color. Further details are described in the attached instructions.
These tests do not give a 100% guarantee, as the presence of infection in the vagina can also lead to a change in Ph.
Important! Remember that even if you suspect a leak fetal waters, should immediately inform the obstetrician-gynecologist, because it carries some risks.
Diagnostics on an outpatient basis
The doctor determines the leakage water via special smear. After contact with the amniotic fluid in the vagina it is detected specific protein that is found only in the amniotic fluid.
What to do if water leakage
Remedy the problem depends on the gestational age at which leakage occurred. However, it is impossible completely to stop the violation, the goal of treatment is directed at preserving the safety of the fetus and the mother.
If leakage occurs on the big stage of pregnancy, it can talk about the imminent onset of labor. If the fight does not start after 3 hours, the obstetrician stimulates the generic activities or carry out the caesarean section.
In preterm pregnancy the woman is in hospital with strict bed rest. Antibiotics and processing genital tract antiseptic preparations.
Possible complications and prognosis
If rupture of membranes have a very high risk of infection of the fetus. Once the water leak is confirmed, the doctor immediately sends pregnant by ultrasound. Since the degree of maturation of the child is determined by means of this diagnostic method. If he is ready to breathe on their own and to be born, it is appointed by caesarean section to avoid the irreversible consequences of infection.
If the fruit is still premature, not yet ripe, then pregnant hospitalized urgently. Conducted antibacterial therapy for the prevention and assigned strict bed rest. As soon as the child is able to breathe independently, carry out delivery.
Some studies in pregnancy
- Smears during pregnancy.
- Tests during pregnancy by trimester.
- Ultrasound during pregnancy.
- Urinalysis in pregnancy.
- Coagulation.
- Installing pessary.
- Glucose tolerance test.
- Homocysteine in pregnancy.
- Amniocentesis.
- Anesthesia during childbirth.
- Fetal CTG (cardiotocography)
- Cordocentesis.
- Epidural anesthesia during childbirth.
