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Can Amniotic Fluid Embolism Happen During 31 Weeks Of Pregnancy?
Question: i am 31 weeks pregnant and petrified of giving birth. How common are complications like an Amniotic Fluid Embolism? If it were to occur could a patiebt be saved?
Brief Answer:
its a rare obstetric complication
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query to hcm,
Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare but serious condition that occurs when amniotic fluid — the fluid that surrounds a baby in the uterus during pregnancy — or fetal material, such as fetal cells, enters the mother's bloodstream. Amniotic fluid embolism is most likely to occur during delivery or immediately afterward.Why this happens isn't well understood. A likely cause is a breakdown in the placental barrier, such as from trauma.
However, amniotic fluid embolisms are rare — and it's likely that some amniotic fluid commonly enters the mother's bloodstream during delivery without causing problems. It's not clear why in some cases this leads to amniotic fluid embolism.
The patient can be treated sooner the diagnosis is made.
Treatment is supportive and includes the following:
Administration of oxygen to maintain normal saturation. Intubation if necessary.
Hypotension is treated with crystalloid and blood products. Sometimes pulmonary artery catheterization is considered in patients who are hemodynamically unstable.
Continuously monitor the fetus is a must.
Treatment of coagulopathy is with FFP for a prolonged aPTT, cryoprecipitate for a fibrinogen level less than 100 mg/dL, and transfusion of platelets for platelet counts less than 20,000/µL.
So please do not worry and go ahead with your pregnancy without much fear. This is a rare obstetric complication and yet manageable.
Regards
its a rare obstetric complication
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query to hcm,
Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare but serious condition that occurs when amniotic fluid — the fluid that surrounds a baby in the uterus during pregnancy — or fetal material, such as fetal cells, enters the mother's bloodstream. Amniotic fluid embolism is most likely to occur during delivery or immediately afterward.Why this happens isn't well understood. A likely cause is a breakdown in the placental barrier, such as from trauma.
However, amniotic fluid embolisms are rare — and it's likely that some amniotic fluid commonly enters the mother's bloodstream during delivery without causing problems. It's not clear why in some cases this leads to amniotic fluid embolism.
The patient can be treated sooner the diagnosis is made.
Treatment is supportive and includes the following:
Administration of oxygen to maintain normal saturation. Intubation if necessary.
Hypotension is treated with crystalloid and blood products. Sometimes pulmonary artery catheterization is considered in patients who are hemodynamically unstable.
Continuously monitor the fetus is a must.
Treatment of coagulopathy is with FFP for a prolonged aPTT, cryoprecipitate for a fibrinogen level less than 100 mg/dL, and transfusion of platelets for platelet counts less than 20,000/µL.
So please do not worry and go ahead with your pregnancy without much fear. This is a rare obstetric complication and yet manageable.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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