Can induction cause meconium?

Background: Oxytocin and various prostaglandin preparations are commonly used for pharmacological induction of labor at term. Some prostaglandin preparations appear to be associated with more fetal meconium passage and maternal gastrointestinal side effects than is oxytocin.

What happens if meconium is in amniotic fluid?

Meconium gives the amniotic fluid a greenish color. This is called meconium staining. If meconium has been in the amniotic fluid for a long time, your baby may have yellowed skin and nails.

What does meconium in waters mean?

Meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) occurs when the baby opens his/her bowels before birth, and is found in about 13% of labours overall. Approximately 30% of babies born at 40 weeks, and nearly half of babies born after 42 weeks of gestation will have MSAF.

Is meconium stained amniotic fluid an emergency?

Conclusion: Meconium stained amniotic fluid is really worrisome from both, obstetrician’s and paediatrician’s points of view, as it increases the caesarean rates, causes birth asphyxia, MAS and increases neonatal intensive care unit admissions.

What percentage of births will present with meconium stained amniotic fluid?

The prevalence of meconium stained amniotic fluid was found to be 88 (17.8%) with [95% CI = 14.3–21.2].

How serious is meconium aspiration?

Meconium aspiration syndrome occurs when a newborn breathes a mixture of meconium and amniotic fluid into the lungs around the time of delivery. Meconium aspiration syndrome, a leading cause of severe illness and death in the newborn, occurs in about 5 percent to 10 percent of births.

How long will it take for an infant who survived severe meconium aspiration recover?

Babies may need extra support with breathing and nutrition in some cases. This need will often go away in 2 to 4 days. However, rapid breathing may continue for several days.

How is meconium removed from baby’s lungs?

If your baby isn’t breathing or responding well, a tube may be placed in your newborn’s windpipe (trachea) to suction the fluid containing meconium from the windpipe. The suctioning may then continue until no meconium is seen in the material removed.