Microscopy image of a PGA at day 8 showing the early tissues supporting the embryo, including the amniotic sac and the yolk sac-like structures, surrounded by (extra-embryonic) mesoderm tissue.

Pregnancy is a time full of wonder, excitement, and sometimes a bit of worry. The amniotic sac is one of the most fascinating parts of this journey. It is a thin but strong membrane that naturally ...

Premature rupture of the amniotic sac can have devastating consequences, but scientists in Japan are studying instances when the damaged sac repairs itself—a phenomenon that requires cooperation of ...

During pregnancy, a fetus grows inside of the uterus surrounded by a liquid called the amniotic fluid. This watery world provides the developing baby with a protective barrier against physical injury.

For the first time, a stem cell model has produced a structure resembling an early human embryo with a yolk-sac-like structure, from a single starting stem cell population and without direct genetic ...

James is a published author with multiple pop-history and science books to his name. He specializes in history, space, strange science, and anything out of the ordinary.View full profile James is a ...

An amniotic fluid index measures the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby. It’s an important way for your doctor to assess your baby’s development and identify potential complications. An ...

Hydramnios is a condition specific to pregnant women. It occurs when you have too much amniotic fluid around your baby. It occurs in around 1-2% of pregnancies. Polyhydramnios is a different word for ...

Polyhydramnios (also called hydramnios) means you have too much amniotic fluid. This usually isn’t a problem, but in some cases polyhydramnios can increase the risk of pregnancy complications. "The ...

Oligohydramnios is a condition during pregnancy when you have too little amniotic fluid around your baby. It occurs in about 4% of to-term pregnancies, but it becomes more common (increasing to around ...

The amnion is a protective membrane that balloons into a sac containing amniotic fluid, which leaves the body when the mother's waters break before labour. Until recently, its major role was thought ...

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have developed a new stem cell model of the mature human amniotic sac, which replicates development of the tissues supporting the embryo from two to four ...