Midwife Sally what causes the water around a baby to become greenish and why do midwives/doctors consider it as an emergency?
During pregnancy the baby is surrounded by fluid/water which is called #liquor. It protects the baby in utero.
#Meconium is the first stool of the baby and it is also greenish in color
In utero a healthy baby will not poo into the liqour that surrounds it.
Several factors can cause your baby to go into distress in utero. Once your baby does not get enough oxygen in utero, with time if no intervention is given. The anal sphincter muscles and the other sphincter muscles of the baby will relax.
Baby will start to poo into the amniotic fluid, and also aspirate. Meconium liqour can also get into the respiratory system. It gives the liqour that greenish color
If your waters break and the liqour is greenish in color it shows that your baby may be deprived of oxygen and is struggling to survive. Delivery has to be as soon as possible to prevent further complications.
The more greenish or thick the liqour is the worse the complications can be.
Always cooperate with your midwife or doctor to expedite delivery. The earlier baby is delivered the better complications are reduced.
In some cases an emergency Caesarian section can be done to save the baby. Other investigations will be done to ascertain whether baby Is really in distress or not.
If you get into labor pay attention to the liqour around the baby, if it’s greenish in color immediately alert the medical staff or report immediately to the hospital. That is possible if your water has broken.
Once baby is born, they may need additional care at the neonatal intensive care unit or help with breathing.
Midwives are always be ready to resuscitate new borns that need help with breathing.
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