What is the correct management if the liquor is meconium stained?
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If the infant born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid presents with poor muscle tone and inadequate breathing efforts, the initial steps of resuscitation should be completed under the radiant warmer. Appropriate intervention to support ventilation and oxygenation should be initiated as indicated for each infant.
How do you treat meconium fluid stains?

How Is Meconium Aspiration Syndrome Treated? Most babies with MAS get medical care in a special care nursery or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and get oxygen, if needed. A baby who gets extra oxygen but still struggles to breathe will get help from a breathing machine (ventilator).
How is meconium in amniotic fluid treated?
Treatment
- Antibiotics to treat infection.
- Breathing machine to keep the lungs inflated.
- Use of a warmer to maintain body temperature.
- Tapping on the chest to loosen secretions.
Is meconium in amniotic fluid an emergency?
Meconium is not dangerous unless it is inhaled by your baby, which rarely happens unless your baby is in severe distress.

Is meconium stained liquor an indication for cesarean section?
Thick meconium staining is associated with higher caesarean section rate, low Apgar score at one minute and more admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit.
What does meconium stained liquor indicate?
The appearance of meconium-stained liquor during labour is generally considered to be a sign of hypoxia and a predictor of poor fetal outcome.
Is meconium stained liquor normal?
Meconium-stained amniotic fluid is uncommon before 37 weeks of gestation and the occurrence of a meconium-stained amniotic fluid increases with increasing gestational age [1, 5]. Meconium stained liquor (MSL) is the passage of meconium by a fetus in utero during the antenatal period or in labour.
What causes meconium stained liquor?
Intrauterine distress can cause passage of meconium into the amniotic fluid. Factors that promote the passage in utero include placental insufficiency, maternal hypertension, preeclampsia, oligohydramnios, infection, acidosis, and maternal drug abuse, especially use of tobacco and cocaine.
Is meconium stained liquor an indication for Caesarean section?
How is meconium stained alcohol diagnosed?
If significant meconium staining is noted in labour, there should be continuous electronic fetal monitoring. This is defined as dark green or black amniotic fluid that is thick or tenacious, or any amniotic fluid that contains lumps of meconium.
What happens if baby drinks amniotic fluid during birth?
Unfortunately, if the baby inhales amniotic fluid during the birth process, serious problems can result. Accidentally taking a substance into the windpipe or lungs is called aspiration, and amniotic fluid aspiration can cause grave complications if not promptly detected and treated.
What is the meconium stained liquor guideline for midwives?
1.1. This guideline gives guidance to midwives, obstetricians and neonatal staff on the management of meconium stained liquor in labour and the initial management of a baby born through meconium. This does not cover care on the neonatal unit or the management of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS).
What is the significance of meconium staining during labour?
Meconium staining of the amniotic fluid is a common occurrence during labour and although a large proportion of these pregnancies will have a normal neonatal outcome, its presence may be an indicator of fetal hypoxia and has been linked to the development of cerebral palsy, seizures and meconium aspiration syndrome.
What is the prevalence of meconium stained liquor (MSL)?
Between 15%-20% of term pregnancies are associates with meconium stained liquor (MSL), which, in the vast majority of labours, is not a cause for concern. However, in some circumstances, the passage of meconium in utero is associated with significant increases in perinatal morbidity and mortality.
What is meconium stained amniotic fluid?
Meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) is an alarming sign of fetal compromise and associated with a poor perinatal outcome. Incidence of meconium stained amniotic fluid ranges from 7-22%1while meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) occurs in approximately 5% of all cases of MSAF.