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Not only pregnancy, but also labor is a huge challenge for every woman. Even if a woman is having another baby, she is not prepared for everything that may happen during childbirth as it is an individual matter. What symptoms suggest the commencement of labor? Is the breaking off of the amniotic fluid the beginning of labor?
Does breaking water mean giving birth? Is it necessary to go to the hospital to the gynecology and obstetrics ward? Each delivery may take place differently, its symptoms and intensity are an individual matter for those in labor. However, when the amniotic fluid breaks off, in each case the labor begins and the pregnant woman should go to the hospital where she planned her delivery.
Departure of amniotic fluid – management
Regardless of the color of the amniotic fluid, whether there is a lot of it or not, you should go to the nearest hospital with a gynecology and obstetrics ward, because the discharge of amniotic fluid means that the fetal bladder no longer fulfills its role. When the amniotic fluid leaves, there is no longer any protection for the baby, the bacteria that reside in the womb can infect the baby. Breakage of the amniotic fluid is always a sign that labor is commencing. In most cases, the water breaks off in the second stage of labor, and the baby’s head should appear at this point. In a situation where amniotic fluid seeps for a long time, it is a pathological situation that threatens the health and even life of the child.
What are the most important functions of the amniotic fluid?
- maintaining a constant temperature in the uterus
- shock absorption against impacts and sudden movements
- supports the development of the fetus
- mute loud outside sounds
- allows the baby to move and supports the swallowing and sucking reflex
- has a bactericidal effect
- supports lung development
At each control visit, the gynecologist should assess the amount of amniotic fluid, and therefore determine the AFI index, it is a very important test because it aims to exclude oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios. Specialist examination is also a determinant of how to proceed in a situation where there is oozing of water or premature rupture of the fetal bladder.
Breakage of amniotic fluid – disturbing symptoms
The loss of amniotic fluid is always a moment of anxiety and uncertainty for both the pregnant woman and the child’s father. If your membranes are ruptured several days before or after your due date, this is quite natural and should not be alarming. The pregnant woman should be in the hospital within two hours after the amniotic fluid breaks off, of course it is very important to remember at exactly what time it is. The color of the water is no less important than the amount of water. The correct, natural color is slightly straw-colored, the water should also be transparent, what should be alarming is the greenish color. Unfortunately, the wrong color may indicate that the baby is asphyxiated.
There are tests available in pharmacies to check whether the oozing secretion is amniotic fluid. For each pregnant woman, the flow of the amniotic fluid may look quite different, for some it is an intense stream, for others it is a small amount. Other symptoms that may herald the upcoming labor are, first of all, the mucus plug breakage, regular contractions that occur at shorter intervals.
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