In a message dated 12/31/98 7:53:34 PM Central Standard Time,
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<<  It also
 deals with the proper resuscitation of a baby who has passed meconium at
 some point prior to delivery. Meconium is that tarry sticky dark first
 bowel movement that babies have.  If and infant has been "stressed" before
 birth it can cause relaxation of the anal sphincter and meconium flows into
 the amniotic fluid.  Babies do "breathe" amniotic fluid in utero and a
 distressed baby may have "gasping" respirations. >>

I trained when we would use an endotrachial tube to suction a meconium baby
and we would usually place a piece of gauze over the end of the tube and
suction by MOUTH!  Sometimes you did not have time to put the gauze over the
end and you would sometimes wind up with a mouth full of meconium!  Now that
is "psycho-oropharyngeal-trauma" - more for me than the infant!  <g>
Andrew MD
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