Urinalysis and Body Fluids 6th Edition by Majorie DiLorenzo, Susan Strasinger

Exercise 19

What is the primary cause of the normal increase in amniotic fluid as a pregnancy progresses?

A. Fetal cell metabolism

B. Fetal swallowing

C. Fetal urine

D. Transfer of water across the placenta

Step 1 of 2

Amniotic fluid:

Fetus is surrounded by a membranous sac called amnion. The existence of fluid is visible in amnion.

Increased quantity of amniotic fluid:

• The quantity of amniotic fluid increased is based on fetus urine, because fetus urine is its major contributor

• During fetal urine production, fetus consumes amniotic fluid and then through gastro-intestinal tract, fluid is immersed and finally excreted as urine and then to pass to amniotic fluid, which increases quantity of amniotic fluid

Therefore, “fetal urine” is the major contributor of normal increase of amniotic fluid as pregnancy progresses. Hence, the correct answer is option .