US Medical Term · maternity
Amniotic Fluid
Líquido amniótico
What is in amniotic fluid, and why is it sampled?
The National Cancer Institute's dictionary adds that amniotic fluid contains some of the baby's cells and other substances, and that it helps the growing baby's lungs, digestive system, and bones develop properly. Samples of amniotic fluid may be taken to check the health of the baby and to test for genetic changes that may be a sign of a genetic disease or condition.
Too much or too little amniotic fluid
MedlinePlus gives a name to each case. Too much amniotic fluid is called polyhydramnios; it can occur with multiple pregnancies (twins or triplets), congenital anomalies, or gestational diabetes. Too little amniotic fluid is known as oligohydramnios; it may occur with late pregnancies, ruptured membranes, placental dysfunction, or fetal abnormalities. Abnormal amounts of amniotic fluid may cause the health care provider to watch the pregnancy more carefully.
What it means
Amniotic fluid is a clear, slightly yellowish liquid that surrounds the unborn baby (fetus) during pregnancy and is contained in the amniotic sac. While in the womb, the baby floats in the amniotic fluid, which constantly moves as the baby swallows and "inhales" the fluid and then releases it. MedlinePlus says the amniotic fluid helps the developing baby to move in the womb, helps the lungs to develop properly, prevents pressure on the umbilical cord, keeps a constant temperature around the baby, and protects the baby from outside injury by cushioning sudden blows or movements. Too much amniotic fluid is called polyhydramnios, and too little is known as oligohydramnios. Removing a sample of the fluid through amniocentesis can provide information about the sex, health, and development of the fetus.
Amniotic Fluid in Spanish
- Spanish term
- Líquido amniótico
- Gender and article
- masculine: el líquido amniótico
- Pronunciation
- LEE-kee-doh ahm-NYOH-tee-koh
Líquido amniótico is the title of the MedlinePlus en español article and the headword in the National Cancer Institute's Spanish dictionary, which describes it as a clear or yellowish liquid that surrounds and protects the fetus as it grows during pregnancy. The Spanish dictionary enters líquido amniótico as a masculine compound under líquido, with the label Biol., and defines it as the liquid enclosed in the amnion, whose composition is related to the maturation and state of the fetus.
Words that MedlinePlus en español uses with the term are saco amniótico (amniotic sac), cordón umbilical (umbilical cord), polihidramnios (too much amniotic fluid), oligohidramnios (too little) and amniocentesis, the procedure that removes a sample of the fluid. The same article uses both feto and bebé, and útero for the womb. The National Cancer Institute's entry says the fluid hace de colchón para el bebé, that is, it cushions the baby.
Phrases for an appointment
What a patient or a clinician might say, in English and Spanish:
| Who | English | Spanish |
|---|---|---|
| Clinician | I am going to check the amount of amniotic fluid. | Voy a revisar la cantidad de líquido amniótico. |
| Patient | Is the amount of fluid normal for 34 weeks? | ¿La cantidad de líquido es normal para las 34 semanas? |
| Clinician | There is a little more fluid than expected, so we are going to watch the pregnancy more carefully. | Hay un poco más de líquido de lo esperado, así que vamos a vigilar el embarazo con mayor cuidado. |
| Patient | What is it called when there is too much amniotic fluid? | ¿Cómo se llama cuando hay demasiado líquido amniótico? |
| Clinician | It is called polyhydramnios. | Se llama polihidramnios. |
| Patient | I think I am leaking fluid. Could it be amniotic fluid? | Creo que estoy perdiendo líquido. ¿Podría ser líquido amniótico? |
| Clinician | What color is the fluid, and when did it start? | ¿De qué color es el líquido, y cuándo empezó? |
| Patient | What can an amniocentesis tell us about the baby? | ¿Qué nos puede decir una amniocentesis sobre el bebé? |
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Amniotic Fluid |
| Spanish (Español) | Líquido amniótico |
| Chinese (中文) | 羊水 |
| Korean (한국어) | 양수 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Nước ối |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Amniotic fluid |
| Portuguese (Português) | Líquido amniótico |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | น้ำคร่ำ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 羊水 |
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
ICD-10-CM code: O41 → Other disorders of amniotic fluid and membranesRelated terms
Your right to an interpreter in the United States
If English is not your primary language and you have difficulty communicating in English, you may need an interpreter or a translated document when you visit a doctor or dentist, go to the emergency room or pick up a prescription. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights states that two federal laws, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, require programs that receive its funding to provide language access services free of charge.
You can ask when you make the appointment or at the front desk: "I need an interpreter, please." «Necesito un intérprete, por favor.»
More terms: Reproductive health and pregnancy
All terms in this area: Reproductive health and pregnancy — Salud reproductiva y embarazo
Sources
- Amniotic fluid — MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, National Library of Medicine
- Líquido amniótico — MedlinePlus en español, Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina
- amniotic fluid — NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms — National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH
- líquido amniótico — Diccionario de cáncer del NCI — Instituto Nacional del Cáncer (NCI), NIH
- líquido, da — Diccionario de la lengua española — Real Academia Española / ASALE
- Limited English Proficiency (LEP): Your Right to Language Assistance Services — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights
This page is a language reference. It is not medical advice.
Last reviewed: October 8, 2026