Hi Marilyn, My experience with water birth and mec liquor is that it
streams OUT of the nose and mouth when the head is born, therefore, no danger of
inhaling it when the baby does take it's first gasp when out of the water.
I have never had a baby gasp and inhale water. MM
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2003 8:32
AM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Homebirth
experiences with Mec liquor
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 -----
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
