Why does the fetus inhale meconium?

summary

Meconium is a dark green fecal material produced in the intestines of the fetus before birth. After delivery, the newborn will excrete meconium in the first few days. Meconium may be mixed with amniotic fluid and the baby may inhale the mixture into the lungs. This is called meconium aspiration or meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). Why does the fetus inhale meconium? Let's talk about it

Why does the fetus inhale meconium?

Pregnancies beyond the scheduled date (more than 40 weeks), difficult or long-term delivery. The mother experiences certain health problems, including high blood pressure (hypertension) or diabetes.

With the extension of pregnancy, the amount of amniotic fluid also decreased, so that meconium concentration. Therefore, MAS is more common in newborns with delayed birth than in full-term newborns. Premature infants are rare.

Respiratory distress is the most prominent symptom of meconium aspiration syndrome. The baby may be short of breath. If the newborn's respiratory tract is blocked by meconium, some newborns may stop breathing.

matters needing attention

Moms should develop the habit of counting fetal movements regularly every day, one hour in the morning, one hour in the middle and one hour in the evening. The total number multiplied by 4 is the number of fetal movements in 12 hours. If it is less than 10 times / 12 hours and more than 40 times / 12 hours, they need to go to your doctor for examination in time. Usually in the left or right side of the pregnant mother's lower abdomen, that is, the side of the fetal back, you can listen with the help of simple instruments.