What is the function of amniotic fluid?

For pregnant mothers, they must pay attention to the amount of amniotic fluid, because amniotic fluid is the key to protecting the fetus. It can help avoid and buffer external pressure. It is also indispensable for helping mothers give birth smoothly. It can be said to be a cradle for the baby.

1. Buffer the external pressure on the abdomen and provide a safe growth environment for the baby

With the buffer of amniotic fluid, external pressure will not directly harm the fetus. In addition, amniotic fluid can stabilize the temperature in the uterus so that it does not fluctuate greatly, providing the fetus with a relatively stable environment for growth and development. As the gestational age increases, the size of the uterus continues to increase, and the fetus has a certain amount of space to move around. The growth and development process will not be hindered and deformities will not occur. In addition, amniotic fluid can also reduce the stimulation of the fetus to the mother when it moves in the uterus and alleviate the mother's discomfort.

Because there is a certain amount of antibodies in the amniotic fluid, it has a certain bacteriolytic effect, which can reduce the infection of the fetus in the uterus.

2. Helps with smooth delivery

During labor, the amniotic fluid forms a water bag, which can slowly dilate the cervix. On the one hand, it is beneficial to the smooth progress of labor, and on the other hand, it can prevent umbilical cord prolapse. When the uterus contracts, it can buffer uterine pressure so that it does not directly exert force on the fetus, especially the fetal head.

Amniotic fluid can also maintain a certain tension in the amniotic cavity, allowing the placenta to attach to the uterine wall throughout the entire delivery process and prevent placental abruption from occurring. After the water breaks, the amniotic fluid can lubricate and flush the birth canal, allowing the fetus to be delivered smoothly and reducing the chance of infection when the fetus passes through the birth canal during delivery.

3. Provide fetal health information

Because amniotic fluid contains a large amount of information about the health of the fetus, medicine often tests the quality and quantity of amniotic fluid, as well as certain components in it, to understand the health and maturity of the fetus. For example, by extracting a certain amount of amniotic fluid through amniocentesis and extracting the components of the fetus, it is possible to analyze whether the fetus has chromosomal abnormalities and some congenital genetic diseases. Measuring certain components in amniotic fluid can help us understand whether the fetus is mature. This will undoubtedly be of great help in promoting eugenics and good parenting.