amniotic fluid

Specialties Ob/Gyn

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If a pregnancy is about midway complete and the water breaks, is there a procedure to replace the amniotic fluid? If so, what's it called?

Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
If a pregnancy is about midway complete and the water breaks, is there a procedure to replace the amniotic fluid? If so, what's it called?

I think it is called an amniotic infusion if I remember correctly, but they usually only do it at the very end of a pregnancy, I think midway is too long. They also do it to clean out meconium.

Specializes in OB.

Amnioinfusion is only done at the end of pregnancy, usually during labor to "thin out" meconium or to take pressure off a compressed cord.

To a certain extent amniotic fluid does continue to be produced and if the patient has a "leak" that is very slow or "seals over" the fluid level may maintain or go up. If it is a "gross rupture" (large amount) this is unlikely. The other main risk once the barrier of the membranes is breached is infection.

Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Even if the water breaks, the body continues to produce amniotic fluid until delivery.

Specializes in OB, CASE MANAGEMENT.

Also if it is a gross rupture then delivery is likely to occur sooner than later due to infection

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