Does your heart rate go up rapidly or down rapidly during amniotic-fluid embolism?

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My heart goes up high when I think of things such as friends, fights, and loads of other stuff. But it really goes up high when I think of memory's such as me screaming on a really scary pirate ship ride x( and holding on to a friend.  (+ info)

amniotic fluid embolism?

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I recently had a co work die from a amniotic fluid embolism. She had had her baby without complications 10 hours before this. I am now scared to try and concieve. Does anyone have anymore information about this. Do you know of ways to prevent this or is there symptems?
Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare and incompletely understood obstetric emergency in which amniotic fluid, fetal cells, hair or other debris enters the mother's blood stream via the placental bed of the uterus and triggers an allergic reaction. This reaction then results in cardiorespiratory (heart and lung) collapse and coagulopathy.
The condition is so rare (between 1 in 8000 and 1 in 80,000 deliveries) that most doctors will never encounter it in their professional careers, and as a result the exact process is poorly understood. However, it is believed that once the fluid and fetal cells enter the maternal pulmonary circulation a two-phase process occurs:

First phase

The patient experiences acute shortness of breath and hypotension. This rapidly progresses to cardiac arrest as the chambers of the heart fail to dilate and there is a reduction of oxygen to the heart and lungs. Not long after this stage the patient will lapse into a coma. 50% die within the first hour of symptoms.

Second phase

Although many women do not survive beyond the first stage, about 40 per cent of the initial survivors will pass onto the second phase. This is known as the hemorrhagic phase and may be accompanied by severe shivering, coughing, vomiting and the sensation of a bad taste in the mouth. This is also accompanied by excessive bleeding as the blood loses its ability to clot. Collapse of the cardiovascular system leads to fetal distress and death unless the child is delivered swiftly.

Causes

It is mostly agreed that this condition results from amniotic fluid entering the uterine veins and in order for this to occur there are three prerequisites:

* Ruptured membranes (a term used to define the rupture of the amniotic sac)
* Ruptured uterine or cervical veins
* A pressure gradient from uterus to vein

Although exposure to fetal tissue is common and thus finding fetal tissue within the maternal circulation is not significant, in a small percentage of women this exposure leads to a complex chain of events resulting in collapse and death.

There is some evidence that it can be associated with abdominal trauma


For more information visit my free website
http://birthdefectcauses.blogspot.com
http://www.pregnancy-guidelines.com  (+ info)

amniotic-fluid embolism???

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We just recently had a news story about a mother of 7 dying while giving birth. Anyone else ever heard about it? How common is it? Anyone know anyone that has died that way? Here is the news link so you can read the story. Thanks

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=1051242&nid=148
I don't think its very common, but my best friend had two children by C-section with no problems. She was pregnant with her third and they went in to do another C-section. They got the baby out and started to stitch her up. She told her mom who was beside her that she felt hot and her heart stopped beating. They brought her back with CPR. She was in ICU on breathing machines for 2 days and then released to a regular room with her baby.

Apparently, it only happens when a woman has a c-section and 90% of the time in male births. Her OB told her afterwards that my best friend and another woman are the only ones that survived an amniotic embolism and she had 2 others die. She said my friend is doing much better than the other lady. The other lady has severe breathing problems now, because the emolism moved to her lungs.

I would not worry about it because it is very rare. My best friend is not a model citizen and did not get prenatal care until she was 8 months pregnant.  (+ info)

what is mortality of amniotic fluid embolism?

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ask your ob/gyn, they would be the most reliable source  (+ info)

How can two amniotic fluid samples be used to determine if twin fetuses share the same amniotic sac or not?

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How can two amniotic fluid samples be used to determine if twin fetuses share the same amniotic sac (monoamniotic twins) or have separate sacs (diamniotic twins)? I assume that the samples are identical if the twins are monoamniotic, but how can one tell? Is there a biochemical, molecular or other test that can reveal this? Thank you for your help.
When an amniocentesis is performed on the first sac, after the fluid is withdrawn a blue temporary dye is injected in that first sac. When a sample is taken from the second sac with another needle the fluid should be clear not blue indicating that the sacs and fetuses are separate.  (+ info)

How can you know if your amniotic fluid has become infected?

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I've been having lots of discharge for 1 1/2 months already. I've been to the hospital 3 times for it and they just check with a amniotic strip to check if it changes color.

I cannot be sure if it really is fluid though.. As it can also be normal discharge..
My baby moves well and all. How can you know or how does a doctor determine whether you have amniotic fluid infection?
When I was checked to see if my amniotic fluid was infected, they did a vaginal ultrasound while sticking a needle into my stomach to pull out some of the fluid while I was at arnold palmer hospital. I believe they sent it to the hospital lab for testing..was kinda of a blur at that point. I had mine done because I was 22 weeks pregnant and my cervix had began to dilate.. the 'sac' holding the baby was sagging through my cervix. I did not have a fever, besides some spotting I felt great. Mine was done back in 2000 and didn't had to have it checked in 2 pregnancy's I had later, so they may do it a different way now.  (+ info)

How do you know if amniotic fluid is leaking?

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Hi, Just wanted to know if you can make out whether amniotic fluid is leaking or its the normal dischanrge that you have during pregnancy.
Does amniotic fluid leaking mean you are dialated?
If amniotic fluid is leaking it will continue to leak steadily. You wont be able to stop it. If it is discharge you normally get a little bit in your undies and it doesnt constantly flow.  (+ info)

How would you know if the amniotic fluid is leaking?

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I read an article that says intercourse should be avoided if the amniotic fluid is leaking. How would you know if it's amniotic fluid and not just vaginal discharge, which is normal during pregnancy?
Your best bet would be to tell you dr and have him test it or do an ultra sound. I was 8 weeks from delivery with my last daughter when I had to be induced because she was only surviving in 20% of the fluid. I had leaked all the rest without knowing because it was such a slow leak.  (+ info)

How do I know if my amniotic fluid is leaking?

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(sorry to get into detail)when i use the restroom and i wipe there is a clear fluid is this my amniotic fluid leaking?
How many weeks pregnant are you? Does the leak only occur when you sit on the toilet? Not when you walk or lay down or change positions?

If you suspect that your water is broken, you should go to the hospital where you intend to deliver to be seen by an OB nurse who will then evaluate you immediately with or without contractions. There are tests to see if the fluid is amniotic (nitrazine and fern test) or urine or if it's just discharge or an infection (an infection needs to be treated). You should not wait too see if more fluid will come out. It is not true that when you're water breaks there is a huge gush or continuous leak. Sometimes, the baby's head is so low that the fluid can't get past it to go thru your cervix.

You do not want to find out too late if your water is broken because it can put you and the baby in danger of an infection. If you are full term, usually the doctor likes to see you deliver the baby within 24 hours of your water breaking because of the chances of getting infected.

Hope this helps and congrats ahead of time (if you're supposed to have the baby soon)  (+ info)

What causes you to leak amniotic fluid instead of it just gushing out?

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I am 37 weeks pregnant. And I wake up some nights with my shorts wet. If it is amniotic fluid does it just leak constantly or only every once in a while?
One pregnancy book I have talks about people leaking slowly if the baby has engaged in the cervix, or if the placenta is in the way, then the fluid would not be able to gush out. My book says most women have leakage and not one big gushing event. I think you should call your doctor to be sure, you don't want your little one having too little fluid for too long.

If it is amniotic fluid, it will be straw colored and not smell like urine, but have a sweeter smell.  (+ info)

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