Amniotic fluid

The fluid that surround the baby in the womb is known as the “amniotic fluid”, “liquor” or “waters”. This fluid not only acts as a cushion, protecting the baby from external trauma but is also essential for the growth and development of the fetus by providing a medium in which the baby can move freely.

The volume of the fluid is maintained by a balance of production and removal. After the 12 week, fetal urine production is the main source of the fluid. The fluid is removed by being swallowed by the fetus. The total volume of the amniotic fluid increases as the pregnancy progresses to reach a peak of around 1ltr at 37 weeks.

An excess of amniotic fluid is known as Polyhydramnios and when there is too little, this is known as oligohydramnios and anhydramnios when there is no fluid at all.