When a woman has polyhydramnios, means that the level of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby is very high. To understand how this condition can affect your health and your baby can help you learn about the role that amniotic fluid plays in a healthy pregnancy.
What you should know about the amniotic fluid
The amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus’s body plays an important role in normal development. This translucent liquid surrounds and protects the fetus and provides fluid. During the second trimester, the fetus is able to breathe the fluid, so that it enters your lungs, and swallowing, promoting normal growth and development of the lungs and gastrointestinal system. The amniotic fluid also allows the fetus move, which helps in the normal development of muscles and bones.
The amniotic sac containing the embryo is formed around 12 days after conception. Amniotic fluid begins to fill the bag immediately. During the first weeks of pregnancy, amniotic fluid consists mainly of water supplied by the mother. After about 12 weeks, the fluid is composed mainly of fetal urine. The amount of amniotic fluid increases until about week 28 to 32 of pregnancy, when measuring a little less than a quart. After that time, the liquid level usually remains stable until the fetus reaches full development (between 37 and 40 weeks), when it starts to decrease.
Polyhydramnios
When a woman has polyhydramnios, means that the level of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby is very high. To understand how this condition can affect your health and your baby can help you learn about the role that amniotic fluid plays in a healthy pregnancy.
What you should know about the amniotic fluid
The amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus’s body plays an important role in normal development. This translucent liquid surrounds and protects the fetus and provides fluid. During the second trimester, the fetus is able to breathe the fluid, so that it enters your lungs, and swallowing, promoting normal growth and development of the lungs and gastrointestinal system. The amniotic fluid also allows the fetus move, which helps in the normal development of muscles and bones.
The amniotic sac containing the embryo is formed around 12 days after conception. Amniotic fluid begins to fill the bag immediately. During the first weeks of pregnancy, amniotic fluid consists mainly of water supplied by the mother. After about 12 weeks, the fluid is composed mainly of fetal urine.
The amount of amniotic fluid increases until about week 28 to 32 of pregnancy, when measuring a little less than a quart. After that time, the liquid level usually remains stable until the fetus reaches full development (between 37 and 40 weeks), when it starts to decrease.
