I totally didn't know what "amniotic fluid" actually was... did you?

Am I the only one that didn't know that amniotic fluid was the baby's pee? lol. That's why drinking water and staying hydrated is so key to the amniotic fluid level!

Interesthing, huh? Who knew??

I learned it from my doc today, who says my amniotic fluid level went up. It's because I've been DROWNING myself in water! All so the baby can pee away!

Re: I totally didn't know what "amniotic fluid" actually was... did you?

I read that at a certain point the baby starts to pee but amniotic fluid is ALL pee?

ETA: I had to look this up because I find it interesting. I looks like the further you go along the more amniotic fluid is made up of urine.

From Babyzone:
By the beginning of the second trimester there are 50 cc of fluid in the amniotic sac, and this fluid isn't much different from the baby's plasma, indicating an origin from secretions through the umbilical cord, membrane coverings of the placenta, and even the baby's skin. By the 36th week there is usually around a liter of amniotic fluid, but by this time it is made up for the most part from fetal urine. The turnover of fluid is fairly rapid, with a build up from urine and a reabsorption from fetal swallowing being important dynamics in the amniotic fluid picture from hour to hour. Since the baby's kidneys mature over the gestation, the amniotic fluid is more fetal urine-like later than it is when the kidneys are less mature.

Message edited 6/9/2011 9:42:34 PM.

Re: I totally didn't know what "amniotic fluid" actually was... did you?

There is some fetal urine, but amniotic fluid isn't all urine. It's mostly water, and also contains proteins, carbohydrates, fats, etc. The baby doesn't begin to swallow and urinate amniotic fluid until after the first trimester anyway.