Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare but serious complication that can happen during delivery or shortly after birth. AFE only affects an estimated 1 in 40,000 deliveries but is still a leading cause of maternal death during labor. This condition occurs when the baby’s amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the baby in the placenta), fetal cells, or hair makes its way into the mother’s bloodstream. AFE can rapidly develop into a life-threatening situation that puts both the baby and mother’s life at risk. Emergency medical intervention is needed to stabilize the mother and deliver the baby as quickly as possible to avoid permanent complications. In most cases, an immediate emergency C-section is the safest option for the baby.
AFE is more common in vaginal delivery but can occur during a C-section as well. It can also happen shortly after birth while the placenta is still inside the mother’s body. AFE occurs when the amniotic fluid or fetal material passes the placental barrier, enters the mother’s bloodstream and starts moving throughout the circulatory system. The underlying cause for this is not fully understood, but doctors believe it can stem from a breakdown in the placental barrier. This break of the placental barrier can be triggered by trauma during labor.
When the fetal material enters the mother’s bloodstream, her immune system recognizes is as a foreign substance in the body and which triggers an acute inflammatory response. This immune response activates abnormal clotting in the mother’s lungs and blood vessels, which can lead to a serious blood-clotting condition called disseminated intravascular coagulation. While this condition is rare, amniotic fluid entering the bloodstream is not uncommon. Many mothers during labor will absorb small amounts of amniotic fluid without any complications. It’s not clear why some mothers have such an extreme immune response.
The causes and specific risk factors for AFE are not well understood, partly because the condition is so rare. With the small amount of research that we already have, several factors have been associated with an increased risk of amniotic fluid embolism. These factors include:
The effects of AFE can be devastating. The maternal mortality rate for this condition can be as high as 80%, with 50% of mothers dying within the first hour of symptom onset. For patients that do survive the embolism, the majority of them will experience long-term neurological deficits. The survival rate for infants, however, is much more promising, with 70% of infants being successfully delivered.
Still, there are several complications that can occur from AFE:
Long-term effects for the mother from AFE include:
The symptoms of AFE can be obvious once fetal material enters the bloodstream because of how sudden the immune response is. The mother will have difficulty breathing or will start to lose consciousness. Other possible symptoms include:
If the mother survives AFE, she can experience a second stage of the condition known as the hemorrhagic phase. This is when there is excessive bleeding from where the placenta was attached or the location of the cesarean incision.
Treatment mainly focuses on stabilizing the mother and preventing the condition from progressing and causing severe complications. Doctors can administer oxygen therapy or a ventilator to assist with breathing. A pulmonary artery catheter may be inserted so doctors can monitor the mother’s heart. There are also some medications that can help control blood pressure. If the mother survives the condition, she will most likely need blood, platelets, and plasma transfusions to replace the amount of blood loss from hemorrhaging.
For the baby, the doctors will continuously monitor for any signs of distress. It’s critical that doctors deliver the baby as soon as possible. A delayed C-section increases the risk of birth injury. After they are delivered, they will be sent to the intensive care unit (ICU) for evaluation and close observation.
Amniotic fluid embolism cannot be prevented and is hard to predict. The condition has the potential to be fatal for both the mother and the baby, so immediate medical intervention is necessary to ensure they survive. If you’ve previously experienced AFE, it’s important to talk to your doctor before you decide to get pregnant again so you can put measures in place to protect your health. This condition is very rare, but mothers should be aware of the possible risks involved.
Barakat, M., et al. (2022). Recurrent Cardiac Arrests Due to Amniotic Fluid Embolism. Cureus, 14(2).
This case study looked at a placenta previa patient who suffered an amniotic fluid embolism-related cardiac arrest that followed a C-section. The researchers concluded that the presence of disseminated intravascular coagulation helped differentiate amniotic fluid embolisms from conditions with similar presentations.
Zhu, C., et al. (2022). Fatal amniotic fluid embolism: incidence, risk factors and influence on perinatal outcome. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 1-8.
This study looked at fatal amniotic fluid embolism’s risk factors and frequency. The researchers found that cardiac arrests and spontaneous vaginal deliveries correlated with fatal amniotic fluid embolisms. They concluded that timely detections, diagnoses, and treatments were essential to prevent fatal AFE.
Durgam, S., et al. (2021). The role of extra corporeal membrane oxygenation in amniotic fluid embolism: a case report and literature review. Cureus, 13(2).
This case study looked at a 19-year-old expectant mother with amniotic fluid embolism who underwent extracorporeal life support. The researchers concluded that timely administration of extracorporeal life support was extremely important for the woman’s recovery.
Simard, C., et al. (2021). The role of echocardiography in amniotic fluid embolism: a case series and review of the literature. Canadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d’anesthésie, 68(10), 1541-1548.
This article looked at three amniotic fluid embolism cases that were detected by point-of-care echocardiography. The patients at the time experienced right ventricular failure, acute pulmonary hypertension, a D-shaped septum, and right ventricular systolic dysfunction. The researchers concluded that their review emphasized echocardiography’s importance in determining maternal shock’s etiology.
Elsey R.J., et al. (2019). Amniotic fluid embolism: A case study and literature review.Southwest Journal of Pulmonary and Critical Care, (4), 94.
This case study looked at a 30-something woman who experienced amniotic fluid embolism during her fifth pregnancy.
Nawaz, N., & Buksh, A. R. (2018). Amniotic Fluid Embolism. Journal Of The College Of Physicians And Surgeons, 28(6), 107-109.
This case study looked at a 21-year-old woman who suffered amniotic fluid embolism during her first pregnancy. The researchers reported that AFE displays varying symptoms, including circulatory collapse, cardiac arrest, organ failure, and death. They also reported that this condition has no definitive diagnostic test and specific treatments.
Kaur K., et al. (2016). Amniotic fluid embolism.Journal of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology, 32(2), 153-159.
This report looked at AFE’s etiology and pathophysiology. The researchers reported on its clinical symptoms and signs, diagnostic tests, and treatment options.
Woo, Y.S., et al. (2015). Ischemic stroke related to an amniotic fluid embolism during labor.Journal Of Clinical Neuroscience: Official Journal Of The Neurosurgical Society Of Australasia, 22(4), 767-768.
This case study looked at a 30-something woman who suffered several ischemic strokes that were related to an amniotic fluid embolism that occurred during labor. The researchers found that a patent foramen ovale contributed to her strokes.
Kramer, M. S., et al. (2013). Incidence, risk factors, and consequences of amniotic fluid embolism. Pediatric And Perinatal Epidemiology, 27(5), 436-441.
This study looked at risk factors associated with amniotic fluid embolisms. The researchers found that C-sections, instrumental vaginal delivery, medical induction, and cervical and uterine trauma were associated with AFE. They also found that the condition increased the hysterectomy, stillbirth, maternal death, and prolonged maternal hospitalization rates.
McDonnell, N. J., et al. (2013). Amniotic fluid embolism: a leading cause of maternal death yet still a medical conundrum. International Journal Of Obstetric Anesthesia, 22(4), 329-336.
This study looked at theories on amniotic fluid embolism’s mechanisms. The researchers reported on an immune-based mechanic that small amniotic fluid amounts trigger. They expressed optimism that improved awareness of the condition, acute care advances, and the inclusion of less severe cases would contribute to reductions in amniotic fluid embolism’s mortality rate.
Angharad Price, C. (2012). The silent killer: exploring amniotic fluid embolism. British Journal of Midwifery, 20(5), 312-315.
This study looked at amniotic fluid embolism’s etiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, systemic response, diagnosis, and treatment.