Question

The nurse is talking with a woman who is in her 2nd trimester of pregnancy who has been diagnosed with polyhdyramnios. The physician has ordered an ultrasound be performed to check for the presence of esophageal atresia. Which statement by the woman indicates an understanding of the relationship between these conditions?

Answer 1

Babies with esophageal atresia will have an inability to swallow amniotic fluid leading to the builtup - this statement  by the woman indicates an understanding of the relationship between polyhdyramnios and esophageal atresia.

Explanation:

Polyhdramnios is the excessive builtup of amniotic fluid in the uterus during pregnancy.

Many congenital anomalies of the fetus are associated with a disturbance in the swallowing and absorption of fluids by the fetus. Anomalies like esophageal or duodenal atresia can lead to increased amniotic fluid retention.  

As the fetus grows, it swallows the amniotic fluid and maintains a balance between production and absorption of the fluid. Signs of polyhydramnios are visible with a huge belly of the pregnant woman's filled with the fluid and these are mostly detected in the late second trimester of pregnancy.  

Polyhyramnios with respect to the fetus reflects any congenital anomalies, heart or kidney problems, or fetal anemia.