Born through thick meconium

[Kalesandwich]

Just wondering if this has happened to anyone else and what your experience was?

My baby was 41 weeks born through thick meconium and monitored for 12 hrs when his oxygen sats were declining a bit and his respiratory rate was faster than it should have been. He was taken to neonatal and given 5 day antibiotics and blood test to check infection markers. He was put on 0.5 low flow oxygen and weaned down ready to go home by 6 days old. Then just as we were about to get discharged, one doctor noticed his breathing had become fast again so now, 8 days old, he's back on oxygen on 0.03 now.
It just doesn't seem like his breathing rate will come down as he's still breathing fast while on oxygen. His respiratory rate is 65. Also I'm now terrified that when we do get home this will all happen again but we won't be right there on the neonatal unit to be treated quickly.

Hi OP, so sorry you've had such a worrying start. We had a similar problem with my DS, he had a very traumatic birth leading to C section and the waters were black, he had a lot on his lungs. I'm afraid I can't remember the details of what happened but I remember he was up and down for a week or so, it would look like he was ready to be discharged and then he'd start struggling again. All I can say is that it did eventually sort itself out and he's been fine ever since. I'm sure it'll be the same for your little one but I know it's so scary. Can you talk to the paeds about your concerns taking him home? I think our DS had been breathing normally for at least a couple of days before we took him home so we felt more confident. Maybe you could ask for the same?