Diseases of the amniotic sac

Chorioamnionitis: Chorioamnionitis is an inflammation of the amniotic membrane. Often the placenta is also infected. The cause of this disease is often a vaginal infection with intestinal bacteria such as E. coli or an infection caused by streptococci.
The bacteria can eventually rise along the vagina if the inflammation is severe and not treated in time. If there are fine tears in the amniotic sac, they can penetrate it and also cause an infection with usually serious consequences. In extreme cases, chorioamnionitis can lead to premature birth.

Depending on the month of pregnancy, this can be dangerous for the child if it is not yet viable. The inflammation can cause premature rupture of the bladder and premature labor. In addition, there is a risk for the unborn child to develop sepsis or meningitis.

Symptoms include fever and general feeling of illness. The heart rate of mother and baby may be elevated and the mother may feel flabby and tired. The uterus can also be painful.

In addition, the mother may notice a foul odor of the amniotic fluid or vaginal fluid during the course of the infection. The diagnosis can be made by examining the laboratory parameters but also by amniocentesis. We recommend hospitalization for treatment so that the course of the infection can be closely monitored and any complications can be dealt with quickly.

In addition, a broad-spectrum antibiotic should be administered to combat the bacteria and halt the progression of the inflammation. Chorioamnionitis can be avoided if digital vaginal examination is reduced to a necessary minimum in patients with premature rupture of the bladder.
Polyhydramnion:In polyhydramnios, there is an above-average amount of amniotic fluid in the amniotic sac. It occurs in about 1% of pregnancies.
The causes are very diverse. Increased incidence was found in pregnant women with existing diabetes mellitus. In addition, the increased water can accumulate if the unborn child drinks too little of it during pregnancy.

A variety of syndromes have often been found in connection with an excess of amniotic fluid, such as heart defects or the Down syndrome.If the fluid does not recede on its own after some time, a fluid-relief puncture is necessary, in which the amniotic sac is punctured with a hollow needle and drained via a catheter.
Oligohydramnios: In oligohydramnios, there is a reduction of amniotic fluid to less than 200 to 500 milliliters. In the last third of pregnancy this occurs in about 3 to 5% of all pregnancies. Such a reduction in amniotic fluid is suspected if the uterus is too small, depending on the week of pregnancy.
In addition, a reduction in the movement of the child has been observed. Here, too, the causes can be manifold. One possible cause is the child’s reduced urine production due to kidney dysfunction.

The treatment initially involves compensating for the reduced amount of fluid by ensuring that the mother drinks enough. If this is not successful, the amniotic fluid can be filled with a sugar and saline solution through a catheter through the abdominal wall. If this amniotic infusion is not sufficient and even the general condition of the child deteriorates, vaginal delivery or a caesarean section should be performed to avoid further risks for the child and mother.