• Question: why do babies live in amniotic fluid and not water?

    Asked by anon-174152 to Alex, Carl, Melanie, Tim, Yewande on 20 Jun 2018.
    • Photo: Alex Seeney

      Alex Seeney answered on 20 Jun 2018:

      The amniotic fluid provides a number of benefits that water wouldn’t, like the exchange of nutrients between the mother and the fetus. It also helps parts of the fetus develop.

    • Photo: Yewande Oyekenu

      Yewande Oyekenu answered on 21 Jun 2018:

      With water, the baby may drown, but amniotic fluid provides nutrients for the baby. It helps its organs to develop as well.
      When there is a blow to the womb, the baby can still survive due to protection by amniotic which forms a secure ball around the baby. Water lacks these functions.

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