<P> Analysis of amniotic fluid can reveal many aspects of the baby's genetic health as well as the age and viability of the fetus . This is because the fluid contains metabolic wastes and compounds used in assessing fetal age and lung maturity, but amniotic fluid also contains fetal cells, which can be examined for genetic defects . </P> <P> Amniotic fluid normally has a pH of 7.0 to 7.5 . Because pH in the upper vagina is normally acidic (pH 3.8 - 4.5), a vaginal pH test showing a pH of more than 4.5 strengthens a suspicion of rupture of membranes in case of clear vaginal discharge in pregnancy . Other tests for detecting amniotic fluid mainly include nitrazine paper test and fern test . One main test that is performed on amniotic fluid is the L / S ratio test (lecithin / sphigomyelin). This test is used to determine fetal lung maturity . Both lecithin and sphingomyelin are lung surfactants that are present in increasing amounts in the maturing fetus, though past week 33, sphigomyelin levels remain relatively constant . Measuring a ratio of L / S of 2: 1 or greater indicates that the fetus can be safely delivered, with functioning lungs . </P> <P> Too little amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios) can be a cause or an indicator of problems for the mother and baby . The majority of pregnancies proceed normally and the baby is born healthy, but this isn't always the case . Babies with too little amniotic fluid can develop contractures of the limbs, clubbing of the feet and hands, and also develop a life - threatening condition called hypoplastic lungs . If a baby is born with hypoplastic lungs, which are small underdeveloped lungs, this condition is potentially fatal and the baby can die shortly after birth due to inadequate oxygenation . Potter sequence refers to a constellation of findings related to insufficient amniotic fluid and includes shortened and malformed limbs with clubbed feet and the underdeveloped lungs that can lead to perinatal death . </P> <P> On every prenatal visit, the obstetrician / gynaecologist or midwife should measure the patient's fundal height with a tape measure . It is important that the fundal height be measured and properly recorded to track proper fetal growth and the increasing development of amniotic fluid . The obstetrician / gynaecologist or midwife should also routinely ultrasound the patient--this procedure will also give an indication of proper fetal growth and amniotic fluid development . Oligohydramnios can be caused by infection, kidney dysfunction or malformation (since much of the late amniotic fluid volume is urine), procedures such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS), and preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Oligohydramnios can sometimes be treated with bed rest, oral and intravenous hydration, antibiotics, steroids, and amnioinfusion . It is also important to keep the baby warm and moist . </P>

What does the amount of amniotic fluid mean
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