What happens when amniotic fluid embolism occurs after childbirth?

Although we often hear the term amniotic fluid embolism, many people do not know what it means. The so-called amniotic fluid embolism means that during the process of childbirth, the amniotic fluid enters the mother's blood and accompanies the blood circulation. This will cause acute pulmonary embolism, which is a very serious problem and may even cause shock, etc. So what are the causes of amniotic fluid embolism?

What happens when amniotic fluid embolism occurs after childbirth?

Amniotic fluid embolism is extremely harmful to pregnant women. Once it occurs, the mortality rate is very high. Amniotic fluid embolism is mainly a phenomenon in which amniotic fluid enters the blood circulation and blocks blood vessels. It may cause postpartum hemorrhagic shock or cause functional failure of various organs. What are the general causes of postpartum amniotic fluid embolism and how to prevent it? Let me tell you below.

Causes of postpartum amniotic fluid embolism

1. The pressure inside the amniotic cavity membrane is too high. After delivery, especially during the second stage of labor, the pressure in the amniotic cavity increases (up to 100-175 mmHg) and significantly exceeds the venous pressure. Therefore, the amniotic fluid may be squeezed into the damaged microvessels and enter the maternal blood circulation.

2. The blood sinuses are open. Cervical lacerations caused by various reasons during delivery can allow amniotic fluid to enter the maternal blood circulation through damaged blood vessels. When placenta previa, placental abruption, or rupture of the placental marginal sinus occurs, amniotic fluid can also enter the maternal blood circulation through damaged blood vessels or retroplacental sinusoids. During cesarean section or curettage, amniotic fluid can also enter the maternal blood circulation through the blood sinuses at the placenta attachment site, causing amniotic fluid embolism.

3. Rupture of fetal membranes. Most amniotic fluid embolisms occur after rupture of the fetal membranes, and amniotic fluid can enter the maternal blood circulation through damaged small blood vessels in the uterine decidua or cervical canal. During a caesarean section, amniotic fluid can enter the mother's blood circulation through the surgical incision.

How to prevent amniotic fluid embolism

1. Prenatal examination revealed the causative factors. Prenatal examinations can help detect pathogenic factors as early as possible. For example, B-ultrasound can identify most cases of placenta previa, and labor monitoring can detect placental abruption as early as possible, so that early detection and resolution can be achieved.

2. Strengthen prenatal education. Older pregnant women, premature pregnant women, multiparous women, and women with uterine diseases are all susceptible to amniotic fluid embolism. Therefore, mothers and their families should learn some prenatal education knowledge and understand basic medical knowledge.

3. Inform your doctor promptly. If a woman feels unwell during delivery, she should tell the doctor immediately about her condition, such as chest pain, irritability, depression, chills and shivering. This will allow medical staff to adjust the plan in a timely manner and do a good job of treatment.

4. Choose cesarean section in time. If the disease has already occurred in the first stage of labor, the mother needs to immediately choose a caesarean section to avoid secondary injury.

5. Avoid birth injuries

(1) Be alert to excessive uterine contractions. If the frequency and intensity of uterine contractions are too high, it will cause the uterine membrane to tear and the amniotic fluid to flow into the blood circulation. Doctors should inject drugs or sedatives as soon as possible to relieve the symptoms.

(2) Strictly control the use of oxytocin. Doctors need to pay special attention to the dosage of oxytocin and observe the condition of the mother in real time after injection to see if any adverse reactions occur.

(3) Protect the blade. Medical staff should take anti-infection measures on the wounds, protect the capillaries and prevent infection.

(4) Perform artificial rupture of membranes with caution. Do not choose to perform artificial rupture of membranes when the uterus is still contracting, you must choose the right time.

(5) Wait until the amniotic fluid has drained out. When performing clamp surgery, be sure to clean the amniotic fluid first and make sure there is no amniotic fluid left before proceeding to the next step of the surgery.

6. Observe the state of shock. Medical staff should always observe the condition of the mother to see if there are any signs of coma.

The above is an introduction to the causes and prevention methods of amniotic fluid embolism. I hope that after reading this, all expectant mothers will realize the harmfulness of amniotic fluid embolism, especially the harm to the pregnant women themselves. Therefore, all expectant mothers must attach importance to prenatal examinations to avoid serious consequences due to their own reasons.