Abnormalities of the membranes

Meconium staningMeconium is the earliest stools of an infant. Unlike later feces, meconium is composed of materials ingested during the time the infant spends in the uterus.Meconium is normally stored in the infant's intestines until after birth, but sometimes it is expelled into the amniotic fluid prior to birth or during labor and delivery. If the baby then inhales the contaminated fluid, respiratory problems may occur. The most obvious sign that meconium has been passed during or before labor is the greenish or yellowish appearance of the amniotic fluid. The infant's skin, umbilical cord, or nailbeds may be stained green if the meconium was passed a considerable amount of time before birth. These symptoms alone do not necessarily indicate that the baby has inhaled in the fluid by gasping in utero or after birth. fter birth, rapid or labored breathing, cyanosis, slow heartbeat, a barrel!shaped chest or low "# $ score all signs of the meconium aspiration syndrome. The meconium laden amniotic fluid embolism greatly increases maternal mortality rate because of cardiorespiratory failure and coagulopathy.

Chrioamnionitis
%horioamnionitis is an inflammation of the fetal membrane&amnion and chorion' due to a bacterial infection. It typically results from bacteria ascending into the uterus from the vagina and is most often associated with prolonged labour. $isk of developing chorioamnionitis increases with each vaginal exam during final month of pregnancy and during labor.the organisms can further spread along the

chrioamnionic surface and infect the amniotic fluid. There can be subse(uent inflammation of chrionic plate and the umbilical chord &funisitis'. )etal infection may result from hematogenous routes, aspiration, swallowing or due to direct contact with the amniotic fluid.

Amnion nodosumIt is a placental lesion consisting of numerous small, light!tan nodules on the amnion that overlies the placenta. It is considered as the hallmark of prolonged and severe oligohydraminos. mniotic bands are caused when the disruption of the amnion leads to formation of bands or string that entrap the fetus and impair the growth and development of involved structure.