Today, David'smother, accompanied by his father and him,wentto hospital for prenatal examination. When they came back home, she saidhappily to David, "Youcanmeet with your little brother in two months!"
Davidcroucheddown,andlookedathismother's stomachcuriously.He thoughtfora minute or twoand asked,"Mom,ismylittle brothersurrounded by cotton-like stuffor warm water?"
After listeninghim out,hismother smiledand replied,"Let me think, yourlittlebrother is now living ina place which looks likeacrystalpalace. He issurrounded by amniotic fluid."
"Mom, what is amniotic fluid?"
"Amniotic fluid is like a huge coverand isalso nourishing liquid for the fetus. It can help fetuses grow and provide them with afreespace.A babywill stay comfortablyin the warm amniotic fluidbefore birth."
"Mom, I have a question.How is the amniotic fluid formed?"
"I remember that you have learned the basic ingredients of the human body inyourNatural Science course.Theamniotic fluidismainlycomposedof water, which accounts for about 98%. The restof it includesa small amount of inorganic salts, organic hormones and exfoliated fetal cells. The most amazingpartis that the source of amniotic fluid is different at different stages of fetal development.At the beginning,the fertilized ovumis keeping dividing, and the amniotic fluid istaking shape withmaternaltissue fluid."
"I'm wonderingifthereisa part of amniotic fluidcomingfromthefetus's body."
"Yes, you're right.As the fetus grows up,its surroundingamniotic membrane and placenta continueto seep out the amniotic fluid.Following almost16-week-old development,it will be abletofloat in the amniotic fluid.Thenthe fetus's organsgradually becomemature. It willkeepswallowing and draining the amniotic fluidto develop."
"Mom,is theamniotic fluidjustlike astrongcover?"
"I agree with you.Itcan protect the fetus. Whenamother's abdomen is suffered from somesuddenexternal force,itcan bufferthe strong force. In addition, there aresome antibacterial substances, whichcanhelpthe fetustoreduceitschance of intrauterine infection."
"Mom,doesa fetusfeel the same as weswimin the pool when it stays inthe amniotic fluid?"
"You may well say so. When a pregnant womaniswalking or doing some large-amplitudemotions, the fetus, who is floating in the amniotic fluid, will not have a strong shaking feeling. Moreover, the temperature of the amniotic fluidremains atabout 38 °Cto39 °C(100.4°Fto 102.2°F). In this way,the uterus canremainat a constant temperatureand providea warm and suitable environmentfor thefetus."
"The amniotic fluidhas so many functions," saidDavid.
Author: LuAn
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