Amnioscopy and Fetal Blood Sampling

Abstract

Whenever examination of the mother during the last six weeks of pregnancy leads to the suspicion that the fetus might be endangered by chronic lack of oxygen, direct examination of the amniotic fluid is indicated (Saling, 1962). A special conical endoscope is passed into the cervical canal so that amniotic fluid can be inspected through the intact membranes at the forewaters. Color and quantity of the amniotic fluid are the most important indices: clear or milky amniotic fluid indicate normal conditions; green or yellow color or absence of amniotic fluid are signs of imminent danger to the fetus.