Often referred to as the "water" or "waters," amniotic fluid surrounds the fetus during pregnancy and plays a vital role in fetal development. Here's everything you need to know. Medically reviewed by ...

Many factors, including genetics, stress, and environmental exposure, can shape pregnancy and fetal development. Physicians who care for pregnant patients and their babies before and after birth work ...

The new study, published in the journal Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis, found that the addition of amniotic fluid to plasma—the liquid portion of blood—improves the blood's ...

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have made new discoveries about amniotic fluid, a substance historically not well understood in medical research due to the difficulty in obtaining it ...

An amniotic fluid index measures the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby. It’s an important way for your doctor to assess your baby’s development and identify potential complications. An ...

During pregnancy, a fetus grows inside of the uterus surrounded by a liquid called the amniotic fluid. This watery world provides the developing baby with a protective barrier against physical injury.

Polyhydramnios (also called hydramnios) means you have too much amniotic fluid. This usually isn’t a problem, but in some cases polyhydramnios can increase the risk of pregnancy complications. "The ...