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Warning-sign checks

Meconium aspiration syndrome: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Meconium aspiration syndrome is treated as an emergency when a newborn has breathing difficulty.

    In a hospital or birth centre, the maternity team will call staff trained in newborn resuscitation.

    Call emergency services immediately after a home birth or after discharge if a newborn:

    • Has blue-grey lips, tongue, or skin
    • Is struggling to breathe, grunting, or pulling in at the ribs
    • Has pauses in breathing or becomes floppy
    • Is difficult to wake or cannot feed because of breathing trouble
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    During pregnancy or labour, contact your maternity unit promptly if your waters are green or brown, your baby's movements have reduced, or you have been told to seek care for a change in movements.

    Meconium-stained fluid without breathing symptoms is not itself a diagnosis, but it needs professional assessment.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is appropriate after discharge if your baby is breathing comfortably but has concerns with feeding, weight gain, coughing, wheezing, hearing, movement, or development.

    Bring these concerns to the baby's scheduled clinician or newborn follow-up team.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Meconium aspiration syndrome. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.