Meconium in the waters

[judetheobscure]

For two of my deliveries I have had meconium in the waters. It is supposed to be a sign of a distressed baby and as a result I had continuous electronic fetal monitoring (therefore flat on my back on the bed) and then had to stay in hospital for 24 hours afterwards for the baby to be observed for signs of infection.

Has anyone else had the same? And what would happen if I had a home birth?

Also, I recall reading that some recent research indicates that meconium in the waters is perfectly normal and not indicative of a distressed baby. Has anyone seen this research and has it been accepted by the medical profession generally?

I've heard that some meconium at the birth, usually seen as baby is born, is almost universal. My midwife just shrugged, as if to say, "There was some meconium as your baby was born, but I can see the baby is fine and hasn't been effected, in any way".

I had the impression that the problem with meconium is if the baby breathes it in. Maybe there are circumstances where the baby is more or less likely to try to start breathing too "soon"?

There are various amounts of meconium that can be in the water. A small amount is not often a problem and it is common when you are past your dates. However, if there is a lot of meconium and very little water there is a risk the baby can aspirate before delivery or during delivery itself.

Meconium aspiration can be very serious indeed, resulting in a baby needing ventilated. However, if all is well at delivery then it is unlikely that problems will develop later. It is usually apparent within the first few hours of birth or indeed immediately.

Babies who are distressed do not always pass meconium in utero. Some babies pass meconium and are not distressed. However, if a baby has passed meconium and IS distressed then it needs to be delivered. Continual monitoring is advised so that fetal distress can be diagnosed if meconium is present to a significant degree. If it is just a tinge of meconium in the water then continuous monitoring is not needed. HTH.

judetheobscure - just to add, if meconium was present at a home delivery, then transfer into hopsital would be advised at this point. If there is not time to do this (as some waters break right at the end/as you are pushing etc), the midwife will have suction ready to suck any meconium out of the nose and/or mouth as the head is delivered, before the baby takes its first breath. Not ideal, and not always that effective, but the only thing that can be done in this circumstance