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The Amniotic Fluid

There is a vital need for a nonrestricting intrauterineenvironment, which develops before the fetus. Thisenvironment can only be ensured if it is part of the

development of the fetus. Every fetus is surrounded by aprotective cushion of amniotic fluid, whether the fetus

develops inside the mother as a viviparous species or in an egg.

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The average volume of amniotic fluid at

term is 800 mL, and the sodium

concentration is fairly constant.The volume and sodium concentration

remain the same despite the fact that a

normal fetus will swallow some of thefluid .

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Causes

Why an amniotic fluid embolism occurs isn't wellunderstood.

An amniotic fluid embolism occurs when amniotic fluid orfetal material enters the maternal bloodstream, possibly by

passing through tears in the fetal membranes. It's likely thatamniotic fluid contains components that cause aninflammatory reaction and activate clotting in the mother'slungs and blood vessels.

However, amniotic fluid embolisms are rareand it's likely

that some amniotic fluid commonly enters the maternalbloodstream during delivery without causing problems. It'snot clear why in some cases this leads to an amniotic fluidembolism.

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Amniotic Fluid Embolism

Amniotic fluid embolism is a pregnancy complicationthat causes lifethreatening conditions, such as heartfailure.It can affect you, your baby, or both of you. Ithappens when amniotic fluid, or the fluid surrounding

your unborn child, make way into your blood.

It is rare. Though estimates vary, the AFE Foundationsays it occurs in only one in every 15,200 deliveries inNorth America. However, it is a leading cause of death

during labor or shortly after birth. It cannot beprevented, and the underlying cause of it is not fullyunderstood.

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Causes

AFE can happen during labor or shortly aftergiving birth in both vaginal and cesarean

births. In rare cases, it can happen during anabortion or while having a small sample ofamniotic fluid taken forexamination(Amniosentences). AFE is anadverse reaction that occurs when amnioticfluid enters your circulatory system.

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Mother

Treatment involves managing symptoms and preventingAFE from leading to coma or death. Oxygen therapy or aventilator can help you breathe. Making sure that you aregetting enough oxygen is crucial so that your baby also hasenough oxygen. You also might have a pulmonary artery

catheter inserted so that your doctors can monitor yourheart. Medications might also be used to control yourblood pressure. In many cases, several blood, platelet, andplasma transfusions are needed to replace the blood lostduring the hemorrhagic phase.

Infant Your doctor will monitor your baby and watch for signs of

distress. Your baby will most likely be delivered as soon asyour condition is stabilized.

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Causes

Why an amniotic fluid embolism occurs isn't well understood.

An amniotic fluid embolism occurs when amniotic fluid or fetalmaterial enters the maternal bloodstream, possibly by passingthrough tears in the fetal membranes. It's likely that amniotic fluidcontains components that cause an inflammatory reaction and

activate clotting in the mother's lungs and blood vessels. However, amniotic fluid embolisms are rareand it's likely that

some amniotic fluid commonly enters the maternal bloodstreamduring delivery without causing problems. It's not clear why insome cases this leads to an amniotic fluid embolism.

Further research on what causes amniotic fluid embolisms isneeded

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Background

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rareobstetric emergency in which it is postulatedthat amniotic fluid, fetal cells, hair, or other

debris enter the maternal circulation, causingcardiorespiratory collapse.

In 1941, Steiner and Luschbaugh describedAFE for the first time after they found fetaldebris in the pulmonary circulation of womenwho died during labor.

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The diagnosis of AFE has traditionally been made atautopsy when fetal squamous cells are found in thematernal pulmonary circulation; however, fetalsquamous cells are commonly found in the circulation

of laboring patients who do not develop the syndrome.In a patient who is critically ill, a sample obtained byaspiration of the distal port of a pulmonary arterycatheter that contains fetal squamous cells isconsidered suggestive of but not diagnostic of AFE

syndromeResource

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