A woman who bears a child, especially for the first time, experiences many different fears for the life of her baby. Most often, this fear comes from not knowing what is normal during pregnancy and what is not. This also includes the fear of missing water leaks. What are the signs of amniotic fluid leakage ? Let's sort it out in order.
What is amniotic fluid
This is the fluid in which the development of your precious crumbs occurs during the entire period of stay in the stomach. In the early stages of pregnancy, the formation of the fetal bladder occurs with the baby. In this bladder there is a special aqueous medium, which is formed from the mother’s blood by sweating it through the vessels of the placenta. With the growth of the child, the amount of water surrounding it increases. By the time the baby expresses its desire to be born, the amount of liquid will be a liter or a half. It is very important that the amniotic fluid is sterile and the child in them can develop normally, be protected from noise and external influences, and move freely.
With the normal course of events, the membranes rupture and leave the water immediately before the onset of labor for a period of thirty-eight weeks and beyond. This event is quite difficult to miss - after all, quite a lot of liquid is poured, about a half liter. In this case, contractions may begin, and subsequently a baby will appear.
In some cases, it happens that the waters do not pour out, but begin to leak out in very small quantities. Only signs of amniotic fluid leakage will help you avoid the threat. This is the most dangerous option, in which both the mother and the child are in very great danger, because an infection can penetrate the uterus, which threatens the death of the child from the intrauterine infection, and the mother with sepsis, in advanced cases - death.
Signs of leakage of amniotic fluid
It is most difficult to suspect water leakage for a short time, but this is very dangerous. It is not yet to give birth, and if the fetus becomes infected, then you will lose the baby. If you are on your guard and seek help, then there is a chance to report pregnancy.
If the nature of the discharge has changed: it has become more abundant, waterier, you must consult a doctor. In the event that you see a wet spot on your panties or the pad begins to quickly moisturize, especially when exerted, run to the doctor. This is the case when it is better to raise the alarm and take action in time if necessary.
In the later stages, it is slightly easier to determine the signs of amniotic fluid leak, because they are more plentiful and at the same time they can be confused with urinary incontinence. To determine leakage, you can wear a white pad of fabric, on which a wet spot will remain, because amniotic fluid is odorless and colorless. To know for sure, you can purchase a special test, but its result will be true only if no more than twelve hours have passed.
At any time you need to see a doctor, the sooner the better. This will allow you to save your life and often the life of a child. Otherwise, within thirty-two hours, the fetus will completely develop an intrauterine infection.
Symptoms of leakage of amniotic fluid in case of late treatment are vivid. The temperature rises, unpleasantly smelling discharge appears, and the general condition worsens.
Causes of leakage of amniotic fluid
Most often, amniotic fluid leakage is caused by inflammatory processes in the vagina and cervix of a pregnant woman (endocervicitis, colpitis), vaginosis of bacterial origin, chronic thrush. During the inflammatory process, the walls of the fetal bladder become thinner and the slightest tone of the uterus leads to rupture of the amnion. Also, the cause is isthmic-cervical insufficiency, in which the cervix is shortened and its opening begins. Various uterine tumors, benign or malignant, can also provoke rupture of the membranes (for example, fibromyoma). Risk factor - invasive studies of the fetus for congenital malformations: amniocentesis, cordocentesis, chorionbiopsy.