Table of contents:
- What is chorioamnionitis?
- Who is most at risk of developing chorioamnionitis?
- What are the signs of infection in the amniotic fluid?
- What complications will chorioamnionitis have?
- How to treat chorioamnionitis?
- Is there any way to prevent amniotic fluid infection?
Amniotic fluid is the fluid that surrounds and protects the fetus in the uterus. Healthy amniotic fluid also affects the growth and development of the baby in the womb. However, what if there is an infection of the amniotic fluid, or what is also known as chorioamnionitis (chorioamnionitis)?
What is chorioamnionitis?
Quoting from Stanford Children's Health, chorioamnionitis is a condition in which the amniotic fluid is infected by bacteria. Bacteria infect the chorion layer (outer membrane), amnion (fluid sac), and amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus, so it is called chorioamnionitis.
This bacterial infection can start in the vaginal area, anus, anus, then go up into the mother's uterus. The bacteria that usually cause this infection are E. coli bacteria, the B streptococcal group of bacteria, and anaerobic bacteria.
Chorioamnionitis can occur in 1-2 percent of pregnant women. Women with chorioamnionitis should deliver their babies immediately as this can lead to premature birth or serious infections of both the mother and the fetus.
Who is most at risk of developing chorioamnionitis?
Pregnant women who have had premature rupture of membranes have a greater risk of developing amniotic fluid infection because bacteria can easily infect the amniotic sac after the sac has ruptured.
In addition, other factors that can increase the risk of chorioamnionitis are:
- Premature birth due to premature rupture of the membranes
- The fetal membranes rupture (damaged amniotic fluid) over a long period of time
- Mother is young, less than 21 years old
- First pregnancy
- The birth process lasts a long time
- The mother underwent vaginal examinations during childbirth (in women who have broken membranes)
- Have sexually transmitted infections
- Excessive monitoring of the fetus or uterus
Pregnant women who drink alcoholic beverages and are active smokers are also at risk of developing amniotic fluid.
What are the signs of infection in the amniotic fluid?
Chorioamnionitis may not always show signs, but some pregnant women with this condition may show signs such as:
- Fever
- Heart palpitations (tachycardia)
- Sweating
- The uterus becomes softer to the touch
- Vagina discharge with an unusual color and an unpleasant odor
- Stomach hurts
If you feel and experience the above, contact your doctor immediately.
What complications will chorioamnionitis have?
Infection of the amniotic fluid can cause complications, especially if pregnant women do not immediately see a doctor after feeling the signs. Complications can occur in pregnant women as well as the fetus in the womb.
Complications that can occur in mothers are:
- Bacteremia, an infection in the bloodstream that can cause life-threatening sepsis.
- Endometritis or infection of the endometrium (lining of the uterus)
- Blood clots in the pelvic area and lungs
- Heavy bleeding during delivery which can also be caused by uterine atony
- Cesarean delivery
Meanwhile, babies born to mothers who experience chorioamnionitis can also experience complications from bacterial infection. Complications that can be experienced baby Newborn is:
- Sepsis (infection of the blood)
- Meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord)
- Pneumonia (infection of the lungs)
- Bacteremia, which is more common in premature babies
- Seizures
- Cerebral palsy
The complications above are caused by blood infection in pregnant women or called bacteremia, which causes the baby to be born early and even die.
How to treat chorioamnionitis?
The treatment and treatment of amniotic fluid infection depends on the symptoms, age, health of the pregnant woman, and how severe the condition is.
If pregnant women experience signs of chorioamnionitis, such as tachycardia, fever, or unusual vaginal discharge, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Pregnant women who experience premature rupture of membranes (premature rupture of membranes), either in small or large quantities, should also immediately consult a gynecologist.
Doctors and other medical personnel will ask your medical history for further diagnosis. Then the medical officer will suggest doing an amniocentesis test by taking a little amniotic fluid to make sure the pregnant woman has an amniotic fluid infection or not.
If so, the doctor will consider whether the baby should be delivered soon or not. Quoted from Stanford Children's Health, antibiotics will be used to treat chorioamnionitis after an infection is found in the amniotic fluid.
If the infection is very serious and could endanger the safety of the baby, maybe the baby should be born immediately (premature birth). After the baby is born, you and your baby will also be given antibiotics so that infections caused by bacteria do not develop.
Is there any way to prevent amniotic fluid infection?
Quoting from the University of Rochester Medical Center, if you experience premature rupture of membranes, giving antibiotics can reduce the risk of chorioamnionitis. You can also prevent this infection by reducing the number of vaginal examinations, before and during labor.
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