[1.30] This episode will cover:

• What amniotic fluid is and why it is important.
• The diagnosis of too much or too little amniotic fluid.
• Why either of these may happen and how is it treated.
• How to know if your waters have broken.

[1.58] Dr Pat describes amniotic fluid as the liquid in the pregnancy sac that surrounds the growing baby and talks about how the make-up of amniotic fluid changes throughout pregnancy.

[3.44] Brigid asks Dr Pat what the purpose of amniotic fluid is. Dr Pat talks about how the amniotic fluid protects the baby and the umbilical cord. Dr Pat also explains how amniotic fluid is important for lung development.

[7.40] Brigid asks if amniotic fluid levels fluctuate slightly during the day. The ratio of fluid to baby at different stages of pregnancy is also discussed.

[10.38] Dr Pat talks about the medical terms used for having too much amniotic fluid and not enough amniotic fluid and how both findings are not much of a diagnosis themselves but can be indictive of other problems.

[11.24] Brigid asks if there are certain points during pregnancy that these diagnoses are more prevalent. Dr Pat talks about how they may occur at various points in the pregnancy, but the underlying pathology depends on the stage in the pregnancy.

[12.04] Dr Pat talks about some of the causes of too high amniotic fluid levels such as, the baby not being able to swallow, problems with fetal heart rate and rhythm and infections.

[13.44] Dr Pat talks about some causes of low amniotic fluid such as, the fluid has leaked out or that not enough water is being created.

[15.53] Dr Pat talks about problems associated with low levels amniotic fluid.

[16.23] Dr Pat talks about problems associated with too high amniotic fluid levels.

[18.15] Brigid asks Dr Pat to explain what it is like when a woman’s waters break and the different situations around a woman’s waters breaking.

[21.10] Dr Pat talks about leaking amniotic fluid and what your care provider might do to test if your waters have broken or if it is just leaking fluid.

[24.38] Dr Pat talks about what to expect of a leak.

[25.28] Dr Pat explains what happens when your water breaks too early.

[27.46] Brigid asks what to do if you have a slow leak.

[28.32] Myth or Fact: an NIPT has replaced an amniocentesis as a prenatal screening test?