When does amniotic fluid begin to appear?

In the early stages of pregnancy, amniotic fluid will gradually appear. It is a liquid that fills the amniotic cavity. The fetus will grow in this liquid, which is a relatively important place for fetal growth. When the pregnant woman is about to give birth in the late stages of pregnancy, the amniotic fluid will break. In addition, in the late stages of pregnancy, the amniotic fluid should be checked in time to see if it is normal, whether it is turbid, etc.

When does amniotic fluid begin to appear?

Amniotic fluid is the fluid that fills the amniotic cavity. Amniotic fluid is present in early pregnancy, which is mainly the dialysate of maternal serum entering the amniotic cavity through the fetal membrane. After 16-18 weeks of gestation, fetal urine begins to become the main source of amniotic fluid. Therefore, amniotic fluid embolism can occur at any time during pregnancy.

Effects of too much or too little amniotic fluid on the fetus

1. Excessive amniotic fluid

If the AFI value is greater than 25 cm, it means "polyhydramnios". Common causes of polyhydramnios include multiple births, fetal malformations (such as hydrocephalus), gastrointestinal obstruction, gestational diabetes and unknown causes. If the amount of amniotic fluid exceeds a certain limit, it will cause the pregnant uterus to become larger, leading to uterine stretching and early uterine contractions, premature birth, and even rupture of the amniotic membrane and loss of amniotic fluid.

Amniotic fluid drainage

In order to avoid the problem of premature birth caused by excessive amniotic fluid, obstetricians will release the excess amniotic fluid, the so-called "amniotic fluid drainage", to reduce the burden on the mother's uterus, which will reduce the risk of premature birth.

2. Too little amniotic fluid

If the AFI value is less than 5 cm, it means "oligohydramnios". The most common cause of oligohydramnios is "water breaking", followed by fetal renal poor function or fetal arenal disease, placental insufficiency, etc. If the amount of amniotic fluid decreases, it will cause a smaller uterus, fetal malformation, early placental detachment, fetal limb deformities, and even affect the development of the fetus's lungs.