how long can we wait once the meconium is noticed ?

[isha65]

Dr noticed meconium during cervical check during labor at 10am.dr told the fluid is green due to meconium. I was told baby would be tired and because of that oxytocin drip is given at a slow rate.Since there were chances of normal delivery(vaginal birth) dr did not take the matter as a serious issue and kept trying for virginal birth. At full (10cm) dilatation, there were no signs of head coming out due to which they have extracted baby at 8pm through C-section. unluckily she couldn't do well and survived only for 6hrs.  Was the Dr's decision right to wait so long?

[isha65]

Hi Dr,

Thank you very much for the reply.

Thanks again for the sympathy. This incident happened in sept-2010 i.e, 6months ago. Now I'm little out of it. I would be thankful to get certain doubts clarified in this regard like..

1. What should be the range of CTG at the time of delivery pains?
2. How do we judge heartbeat shows any abnormalities?
3. What would be the maximum time (approximately) you had waited on your patient when meconium is noticed and baby born naturally and survived after that.
4. Can you please let me know how does klepsiella affect the fetus.

Thanking you.
Isha

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
I'm so very sorry that you lost your baby!  You must be devastated.
Meconium is a sign that the baby is distressed, but often they can be born healthy in spite of it.  There are so many variables involved that it is impossible to say whether the doctor did the right thing.  Typically when my patients have meconium, I have a low threshhold to do a c-section if the heartbeat shows any abnormalites, or if labor moves too slowly.
Once again, I extend my sympathy for your loss!
Dr B