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Baby -
Development
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The Presence of Meconium.A couple of friends of mine who've had babies were discussing meconium. What is it?
The term meconium refers to undigested debris from swallowed amniotic fluid in the fetal digestive system. It is a dark substance that your baby may pass from its bowels into amniotic fluid. This may happen before delivery, at the time of delivery or after the birth.
Is meconium important?
The presence of meconium can be important at the time of delivery. If a baby has a bowel movement and meconium is in the amniotic fluid, the infant may swallow the fluid before birth or at the time of birth. Meconium inhaled into the lungs may cause pneumonia or pneumonitis.
Is there any way to know about meconium ahead of time?
It is detected when your water breaks. Before this time, the only way to know about it is through amniocentesis.
If there is meconium present when I'm in labor, what can be done?
It is removed from the baby's mouth and throat after delivery with a small suction tube so the baby won't swallow it.
What causes meconium in the amniotic fluid?
It may be caused by fetal distress. Meconium doesn't always mean distress, but the possibility must be considered.
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