What does unclear amniotic fluid mean?

During an ultrasound examination, if the diagnosis result is that the amniotic fluid is not clear, this mainly means that the amniotic fluid is turbid. This situation can be said to be mild or severe. If it is more serious, it may cause fetal hypoxia. At this time, it should be checked in time and treated with certain methods. Amniotic fluid turbidity is mainly divided into three degrees, among which the third degree of amniotic fluid turbidity is the most serious.

What does unclear amniotic fluid mean?

Amniotic fluid is an important component that is indispensable for maintaining fetal life. Under normal circumstances, it is translucent and clear. Some white fetal membranes, vellus hairs, epithelial cells, etc. can be seen floating in it. During pregnancy, some pregnant women may experience cloudy amniotic fluid. Let’s take a look at what turbid amniotic fluid is.

Turbid amniotic fluid refers to the presence of thick, dense spots of light that can be seen under B-ultrasound examination. This situation is usually caused by the mixing of vernix caseosa, meconium or bile in the amniotic fluid. Among them, 12%-22% is due to meconium contamination. Clinical studies have shown that meconium contamination is related to fetal hypoxia and is therefore used as one of the diagnostic criteria for fetal distress.

The degree of meconium contamination can be divided into the following three categories:

Grade Ⅰ means that the amniotic fluid is light green or light yellow and thin. It means that the fetus is suffering from chronic hypoxia and is in the compensatory period.

Grade II means that the amniotic fluid is dark green, turbid, thick and contains fecal lumps. It indicates that the fetus is in a period of acute hypoxia.

Grade III means that the amniotic fluid is dark brown, viscous and mushy. The fetal skin, umbilical cord, fetal membranes, and placenta may all turn yellow. It means that the fetus is in the subacute stage of hypoxia, and the hypoxia lasts for at least 6 hours.

One of the reasons for turbid amniotic fluid: meconium stain

This is also what doctors worry about the most, because when the amniotic fluid is contaminated to the 3rd degree, it indicates fetal distress and intrauterine fetal death may occur at any time. But this is rare when there are no signs of labor.

The second reason for turbid amniotic fluid: vernix caseosa

It is more common before 39 weeks of pregnancy. This is just because the fetus is immature and large, and the vernix caseosa floats in the amniotic fluid. There is no danger.

The third reason for turbid amniotic fluid: Bile stasis can also make amniotic fluid turbid

The main substances in the amniotic fluid are fetal fluid and brittle hair. If it is simply turbid, it usually does not show that there is anything abnormal about the baby. If the amniotic fluid is found to be turbid during the B-ultrasound examination, it means that the fetus is not in good condition and needs to be delivered immediately.

The above are three reasons for turbid amniotic fluid. Since turbid amniotic fluid may affect the normal development of the fetus, turbid amniotic fluid should not be underestimated and the cause of turbid amniotic fluid should be found out as soon as possible.