Anatomy and Physiology

Amniotic fluid is the nourishing and protecting liquid contained by the amnion of a
pregnant woman.
The amnion grows and begins to fill,
mainly with water, around two weeks
after fertilization. After a further 10 weeks
the
liquid
contains
proteins,
carbohydrates, lipids and phospholipids,
urea and electrolytes, all which aid in the
growth of the fetus. In the late stages of
gestation much of the amniotic fluid
consists of fetal urine.
The amniotic fluid increases in volume as
the fetus grows. The amount of amniotic fluid is greatest at about 34 weeks after
conception or 34 weeks ga (gestational age). At 34 weeks ga, the amount of amniotic
fluid is about 800 ml. This amount reduces to about 600 ml at 40 weeks ga when the
baby is born.
Amniotic fluid is continually being swallowed and "inhaled" and replaced through being
"exhaled", as well as being urinated by the baby. It is essential that the amniotic fluid be
breathed into the lungs by the fetus in order for the lungs to develop normally.
Swallowed aminotic fluid contributes to the formation of meconium.
Analysis of amniotic fluid, drawn out of the mother's abdomen in an amniocentesis
procedure, can reveal many aspects of the baby's genetic health. This is because the
fluid also contains fetal cells which can be examined for genetic defects. Recent
research by researchers led by Anthony Atala of Wake Forest University and a team
from Harvard University has found that amniotic fluid is also a plentiful source of nonembryonic stem cells. These cells have demonstrated the ability to differentiate into a
number of different cell-types, including brain, liver and bone.
Amniotic fluid also protects the developing baby by cushioning against blows to the
mother's abdomen, allows for easier fetal movement, promotes muscular/skeletal
development, and helps protect the fetus from heat loss.
The forewaters are released when the amnion ruptures, commonly known as when a
woman's "water breaks". When this occurs during labor at term, it is known as
"spontaneous rupture of membranes" (SROM). If the rupture precedes labor at term,
however, it is referred to as "premature rupture of membranes" (PROM). The majority of
the hindwaters remain inside the womb until the baby is born.
An excessive amount of amniotic fluid is called polyhydramnios. This condition can
occur with multiple pregnancy (twins or triplets), congenital anomalies (problems that
exist when the baby is born), or gestational diabetes.

An abnormally small amount of amniotic fluid is known as oligohydramnios. This

condition may occur with late pregnancies, ruptured membranes, placental dysfunction,
or fetal abnormalities.
Abnormal amounts of amniotic fluid may cause the health care provider to watch the
pregnancy more carefully. Removal of a sample of the fluid, through amniocentesis, can
provide information about the sex, health, and development of the fetus.