The feeling of the fetus swallowing amniotic fluid

Amniotic fluid is one of the most important conditions to ensure the health of the fetus. If there is a problem with the amniotic fluid of a pregnant woman, it will directly affect the health of the fetus and the pregnant woman. The fetus will start swallowing after 16 weeks. The fetus swallows amniotic fluid, but pregnant women generally do not feel it very obviously. The main function of amniotic fluid is to protect the health of the fetus, maintain a constant temperature in the uterus, and buffer external pressure to prevent fetal injury.

The feeling of the fetus swallowing amniotic fluid

The fetus begins swallowing at around 16 weeks, but it is not a way to take in nutrition, it is just an unconscious action. When approaching full term, the fetus swallows 500-700 ml of amniotic fluid every day. Amniotic fluid plays an irreplaceable role in maintaining fetal life and protecting fetal health. The protection of the fetus by amniotic fluid is mainly reflected in the following aspects: 1. During pregnancy, it alleviates the damage to the fetus caused by external pressure or impact. 2. Stabilize the fetus's growth environment, including the temperature and environment within the uterus, which helps the development of fetal organs and limbs. 3. Relieve the discomfort of pregnant women caused by the movement of the fetus in the uterus. 4. The antibacterial components in amniotic fluid can reduce the risk of fetal infection by pathogens. 5. Avoid umbilical cord prolapse. 6. During childbirth, amniotic fluid can alleviate the pressure on the fetus caused by uterine contractions. 7. After the amniotic fluid breaks, it lubricates the birth canal, which is more conducive to the smooth delivery of the fetus.

Functions of amniotic fluid : 1. Protect the fetus. A certain volume of amniotic fluid can provide the fetus with a larger range of movement, allowing the fetus to perform appropriate respiratory movements and limb movements in the uterine cavity, preventing joint fixation, limb deformities and fetal limb adhesions, and is beneficial to the development of the fetus. 2. Maintain a constant intrauterine temperature so that metabolic activities in the fetus can proceed under normal and stable conditions. 3. Buffer external pressure, significantly reduce the impact of external violence and protect the fetus. 4. It is beneficial to the constant body fluid of the fetus. The fetus can rely on amniotic fluid to protect its fluid balance. When there is too much water in the fetus' body, it can be discharged into the amniotic fluid in the form of fetal urine. When dehydrated, in addition to controlling water discharge, the fetus can also swallow amniotic fluid to compensate.

5. Clinical effects. After labor, the uterus contracts and intrauterine pressure increases. The amniotic fluid can transmit pressure to the cervix, forming an anterior amniotic sac in front of the fetal head, expanding the internal and external cervical openings and the vagina, and reducing cervical and vaginal damage caused by direct compression of maternal tissues by the limbs for too long. 6. Amniotic fluid examination. Distinguish the sex of the fetus, understand the maturity of the fetus, and determine whether the fetus is deformed or has genetic diseases.

<<: Can pregnant women drink black wolfberry water?

>>: What to do if the amniotic fluid breaks in late pregnancy