Re: [ozmidwifery] Homebirth experiences with Mec liquor

[Marilyn Kleidon]

Mary, I agree.  I think the answers are theoretical and probably can't be tested for ethical reasons. I would say theoretically speaking, babies born through mec liqour would not be in danger of aspirating mec at birth, if they have done so, they have done so in utero and no amount of suctioning will help the situation. That being said, I can imagine that if they had a mouth full of mec that if it weren't suctioned before the first breath it could be aspirtated. At least that was the rationale for suctioning on the perineum in the Seattle practice. But not vigorous suctioning, just mouth and nose with a de Lee. I can also see that being born in water would get rid of that mec nicely, which is interesting because I do know some midwives who have women get out of water to birth if there is mec liquor, presumably to suction. It boils down to individual comfort levels (both woman and midwife) and full disclosure so that there are no shocks when it comes to the birth, especially in areas such as this where it definetly seems like more art than science to me.   marilyn ----- Original Message ----- From: Mary Murphy To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, June 02, 2003 11:08 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Homebirth experiences with Mec liquor Marilyn, it looks like there are still things we have to learn about the subject, regardless of what seems to be factual evidence. I don't really feel that I have a proven answer to my original question, altho I value all the other information put forward.  cheers, MM