Complications happen when a newborn inhales their first poop before or during labor
Meconiumis a babys first poop.
This black, tar-like substance is made up of cells, proteins, fats, and intestinal secretions.
Meconium is sterile and has no smell.
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Babies usually pass meconium in their first few hours or days of life.
Most babies pass meconium after birth, but some pass their first poop while still in the uterus.
This article provides everything you’re gonna wanna know about meconium.
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Meconium: What Is Babys First Poop?
It is usually black or dark green.
Meconium has no smell because the babys digestive tract has no bacteria yet.
It is common for a babys poop to change color and consistency during the first few days of life.
However, poop that is white or red is never normal.
Reddish poop could indicate bleeding in the digestive tract.
How Long Before Meconium Transitions to Normal Poop?
Meconium typically changes to normal poop within a few days.
It is yellow, seedy, and a little watery.
Formula-fed babies have poop that looks like yellow or tan paste; it is less watery.
When Meconium Is Dangerous
Meconium is normal but can become dangerous when a baby inhales it.
Meconium aspiration syndrome refers to breathing problems when a baby breathes in (aspirates) meconium.
This can happen when a baby is under stress duringlabor and delivery.
They may gasp in the womb or after delivery and breathe in amniotic fluid.
When a baby breathes in amniotic fluid stained with meconium, their breathing may be affected.
Meconium can clog a babys airways, making it difficult to breathe.
It can also irritate the airways and cause injury to the lung tissue.
Meconium may block surfactant, a fatty substance that helps a baby breathe after birth.
Most babies who pass meconium in the amniotic fluid do not breathe it in.
And those who do aspirate meconium usually get better with no long-term issues.
This usually occurs in babies withcystic fibrosis.
Meconium is present in the amniotic fluid in about 10% of normal pregnancies.
If the baby is active and crying, there is no need for medical intervention.
The risk of meconium aspiration syndrome increases when a baby is under stress in the womb.
This stress can cause the baby to pass meconium into the amniotic fluid.
Risk factors for fetal stress include:
How Do Providers Treat Inhaled Meconium?
When a baby is born with meconium aspiration syndrome, treatment is needed immediately.
The exact treatment options depend on the baby’s symptoms and overall health.
When infants have trouble breathing, they are immediately transported to the hospital’s nursery or NICU.
This is no longer standard practice and is not necessary unless the baby is not breathing.
Tell your healthcare team immediately if yourwater breaksand the liquid appears brown or green.
About 5% of babies with meconium in their amniotic fluid develop meconium aspiration syndrome.
Most babies with this condition do not develop long-term complications.
Although rare, a baby inhaling meconium may have coughing and wheezing problems that last for years.
This is a very rare complication.
Summary
Meconium, a babys first poop, is black and sticky.
It contains cells, proteins, fats, and intestinal secretions.
Babies usually pass meconium in the first hours or days of life.
If a baby passes meconium in the womb, they are at risk of breathing it in.
Meconium aspiration syndrome shows up when a baby aspirates amniotic fluid containing meconium and has breathing problems.
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