Why is the amniotic fluid black?

Amniotic fluid is a relatively important thing. It can protect the fetus during pregnancy, and the quality of amniotic fluid is very important to the healthy development of the fetus. Many pregnant women find that their amniotic fluid is abnormal in color when their water breaks, and they suspect that it is affected by factors such as disease. For example, why is the amniotic fluid black? Let’s take a look at the explanation below, I hope everyone can understand it.

The black color is caused by the fetus's excrement mixing with the amniotic fluid. This has nothing to do with disease.

Normal amniotic fluid is colorless, translucent or light yellow in the early stages of pregnancy. In the later stages, as the fetal liver, lungs and other organs mature, the content of vernix caseosa, desquamated epithelial cells and other components in the amniotic fluid increases and the fluid gradually becomes slightly turbid and milky white.

The color of amniotic fluid changes as the pregnancy progresses. Before full term, the amniotic fluid is a colorless, clear liquid; at full term, due to the presence of vernix caseosa, small pieces of fetal skin cells, vellus, hair, etc. suspended in the fluid, the amniotic fluid becomes slightly milky white and mixed with white flocs. By checking the color of the amniotic fluid, you can know the status of the pregnancy: yellow-green or dark green: fetal distress. Marked red or brown: fetal death. Golden yellow: Increased amniotic fluid bilirubin due to hemolysis caused by maternal-fetal blood incompatibility. Viscous yellow: overdue pregnancy, placental insufficiency, etc. Turbid purulent or foul-smelling: intrauterine infection. Generally speaking, the amniotic fluid is clear or a slightly lighter brown. If it is a very dark color, the doctor and the mother should pay attention to it and be careful about the baby's intrauterine hypoxia.

Clinical significance

(1) Yellow-green or dark green: fetal distress (meconium mixed in the amniotic fluid).

(2) Reddish brown or brown: intrauterine fetal death (fetal death).

(3) Golden yellow: The bilirubin level in the amniotic fluid is too high (incompatibility of maternal and fetal blood types).

(4) Sticky and stringy yellow: post-term pregnancy, placental dysfunction.

(5) Purulent or foul-smelling: intrauterine infection.

Precautions

Amniotic fluid examination is usually performed in the second trimester (16-21 weeks of pregnancy). Before the operation, you should empty your bladder, put your hands on your hips, and gently rotate your waist and abdomen. Then lie on your back, use B-type ultrasound diagnostic equipment to detect and locate, choose the puncture point, and perform the puncture under strict aseptic operating conditions. Generally, about 20 ml of amniotic fluid is drawn, placed in a clean and sterilized centrifuge tube, and sent for examination immediately.