How is amniotic fluid embolism diagnosed?

How is amniotic fluid embolism diagnosed?

Diagnosing amniotic fluid embolism is difficult because many of the symptoms can overlap with other serious medical conditions. Your doctor will rule out other possible causes while working to diagnose amniotic fluid embolism. Amniotic fluid embolism is thought to occur in labor or within 30 minutes of delivery.

There are several signs and phases of amniotic fluid embolism. This condition occurs in two phases.

• Phase one: During this phase, there’s rapid respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. This phase has the highest fatalities.
• Phase two: This is the hemorrhagic (caused by a hemorrhage) phase. During this phase, you could experience excessive bleeding at the site of the Cesarean incision, or placental attachment.

Additional signs can include:

• Acute low blood pressure (hypotension) or cardiac arrest.
• Respiratory arrest and lack of oxygen.
• Blood clotting or severe hemorrhage with no explanation. This can happen during labor, Cesarean birth (C-Section), dilation and evacuation within 30 minutes postpartum (after birth).