Re: [ozmidwifery] mec staining
The research now states that suctioning of babies with mec stained liquor actually makes no difference to outcome. Mec stained liquor really is quite common...the most important aspect I think is whether it is fresh/thick/particulate. Or old/thin. This can happen with/without fetal distress. Sally - Original Message - From: Kristin Beckedahl To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 4:21 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] mec staining Hi all, Are all cases of mec liquor staining considered serious or treated as an emergency? Can you have staining and fetal heart rate be OK? Thanks, Kristin-- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit to subscribe or unsubscribe. No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.0.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.4/448 - Release Date: 14/09/2006
Re: [ozmidwifery] mec staining
Meconium staining of the liquor in itself is not an emergency. It is an indication that at some time the baby may not have been happy. Spontaneous emptying of the bowel contents happens in babies for two reasons, one when they are stressed or upset (hence where the saying sh*tt*ng themselves comes from) and the other because the bowel is simply too full and overflows so to speak. The latter is quite common in babies who have stayed in utero past the estimated day of birth.Meconium is a concern if there are fresh lumps of it floating around and they get into the airway prior to birth and the baby inhales them when it tries to breathe. The presence of fresh meconium is an indication for suctining of the airways ASAP. Meconium staining on the other hand indicates that the baby has passed meconium some time ago and we often have no way of knowing what the incident was that caused it to do so. If the liquor is uniformly stained then it happened long enough ago that the meconium has 'disolved' in the liquor. Meconium liquor is just one part of a bigger picture that needs to be considered and is no longer considered to be a reason for routine suctioning at birth.I fully realise that this is not the impression that parents get by the reaction of many of those looking after them that make out as if it is a dire emergency. AndreaOn 15/09/2006, at 4:21 PM, Kristin Beckedahl wrote:Hi all,Are all cases of mec liquor staining considered serious or treated as an emergency? Can you have staining and fetal heart rate be OK?Thanks,Kristin -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit to subscribe or unsubscribe.
RE: [ozmidwifery] mec staining
Ive been at two births at home where it has become clear close to the time of birth that there is thick mec. Both babies born with no problems at all, neither had a dicky heartrate at any time. The two emerg transfers to hospital Ive done in 4 ½ years, have been with a baby with severe and sudden onset of deep decels, neither had any mec at all. I think the stats say that up to 40% (correct me if Im wrong) of all post term babies have mec stained liquor, thats not the case in my experience, both the babies with mec were either a bit early or on timeand of all the post-dates pregnancies, including my own, it hasnt been a feature. I agree with Sally, that the timing and type of mec is important to note, and also I think it pays to see it is one of many cues that may mean something, and to be on the alert for any other signs of distress, or it may mean nothing sinister at alljust that the baby has a patent anus! Tania From: owner-ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au [mailto:owner-ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au] On Behalf Of Sally @ home Sent: Friday, 15 September 2006 5:24 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] mec staining The research now states that suctioning of babies with mec stained liquor actually makes no difference to outcome. Mec stained liquor really is quite common...the most important aspect I think is whether it is fresh/thick/particulate. Or old/thin. This can happen with/without fetal distress. Sally - Original Message - From: Kristin Beckedahl To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 4:21 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] mec staining Hi all, Are all cases of mec liquor staining considered serious or treated as an emergency? Can you have staining and fetal heart rate be OK? Thanks, Kristin -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit to subscribe or unsubscribe. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.0.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.4/448 - Release Date: 14/09/2006 -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.4/448 - Release Date: 14/09/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.4/448 - Release Date: 14/09/2006
