Meconium Stained Liquor Flashcards
What is meconium?
Essentially fetal poo contains water, bile pigments, mucus and amniotic fluid.
It is a tarr coloured liquid.
When are you more likely to see meconium stained liquor?
Later gestations (indicates maturation of GI and CNS)
Fetal distress (hypoxia causes temporary bowel and anal sphincter paralysis)
What is the major worry about meconium stained liquor?
Meconium aspiration syndrome.
Aspiration of meconium can cause blockages and alveolar collapse also predisposes to infection.
How is meconium stained liquor managed?
If grade 3
Continuous CTG monitoring
If signs of distress on CTG do fetal blood sampling
Aim to deliver ASAP
Induce or C section depending on FBS results
Ensure neonatal resus team are available
Post natal:
Suction if APGAR less than 5
Prophylactic abx
Ventilate if necessary
What is grade 3 meconium?
Thick opaque meconium (pea soup)
