Back to Basics: Is that Amniotic Fluid?
Mon, 07/10/2017 - 5:00am
Case: A pregnant female presents with "damp" underwear upon wakening. She has a history of intermittent urinary incontinence, however she is concerned for spontaenous rupture of membranes (amniorrhexis).
How to evaluate if vaginal fluid contains amniotic fluid:
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Sterile speculum exam
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No lubricating jelly (affects pH)
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Is there fluid pooling in posterior fornix or flowing from os?
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Nitrazine paper
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Collect sample and apply to Nitrazine paper
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Turns BLUE in the presence of alkaline amniotic fluid
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Ferning
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Collect sample and apply to clean dry glass slide
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Allow 10 minutes to fully dry
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Ferning is a positive sign of amniotic fluid