Final answer:
Oligohydramnios describes a lower-than-normal amount of amniotic fluid, which is crucial for fetal development. This condition can lead to complications such as limb deformities and severe respiratory issues. Amniotic fluid volume typically peaks at 34 weeks gestation and decreases as the due date approaches.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oligohydramnios is a condition characterized by a lower-than-normal amount of amniotic fluid. This fluid is vital for fetal development as it helps in the growth of the fetus, providing a cushion, and allowing for the development of the lungs and digestive system. A typical amount of amniotic fluid at around 34 weeks of gestation is approximately 800 ml, which decreases to about 600 ml at 40 weeks when the baby is due to be born.
Oligohydramnios can have several implications for the unborn baby, including an increased risk of complications such as limb contractures, hand and foot clubbing, and serious issues like hypoplastic lungs, which are underdeveloped lungs that can be life-threatening post-birth. It is important to monitor the level of amniotic fluid during pregnancy, as both too little (oligohydramnios) and too much (polyhydramnios or hydramnios) can indicate potential problems.
The amniotic fluid is essential not only as a shock absorber but also for the prenatal development of the fetus's lungs and digestive system, as the fetus 'inhales' and 'exhales' the fluid, and swallows it, contributing to the formation of meconium. The amniotic membranes typically rupture towards the end of the dilation stage of labor, due to the pressure from the fetal head entering the birth canal.
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