What would you do if...

[SarahBrianne429]

I am preparing for my second UC (baby is due Friday) and I have some last minute things to sort out. I was wondering what anyone would do in a situation where a baby swallows or breathes in meconium water. Also, what is the best way to cut an umbilical cord? Do you have to clamp both sides? And what would some warning signs be for needing to go to a hospital? I just want to make sure I have everything covered. Thanks!

[phathui5]

Swallowing meconium- just looks gross, not a big deal. It'll get digested. Breathing it in- that's a big deal, like medical attention time. These explain meconium aspiration syndrome: 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002563/ 

http://www.hopkinschildrens.org/meconium-aspiration-syndrome.aspx 

Cord cutting:

Plastic cord clamps http://www.1cascade.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=00369 

Or sterile tape http://www.1cascade.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=00362

Don't use a shoelace to tie the cord! 

[Voondrop]

We used dental floss for tying off a cord, it worked great.

[zapzipzee]

Originally Posted by phathui5 

Swallowing meconium- just looks gross, not a big deal. It'll get digested. Breathing it in- that's a big deal, like medical attention time. These explain meconium aspiration syndrome: 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002563/ 

http://www.hopkinschildrens.org/meconium-aspiration-syndrome.aspx 

Cord cutting:

Plastic cord clamps http://www.1cascade.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=00369 

Or sterile tape http://www.1cascade.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=00362

Don't use a shoelace to tie the cord! 

Isn't there a point at which it doesn't need "tied" off?  We have stuff if it needs done immediately, like we CANNOT pull it over it's head, but I thought if you waited until after the placenta delivered, it didn't need tied...you could just cut it?

[rnra]

If meconium is present and the baby is not vigorously crying immediately at birth, use a cloth or something to quickly wipe the meconium out of the baby's mouth before stiumulating (rubbing, patting, etc.) the baby further.

Personally, I would always tie the cord off before cutting it.  Yes, the blood does clot pretty quickly in there and the jelly does start to dry rather quickly--but tying it off first would be reassuring to me.  There seems like less of a chance of it being jostled, disrupting the scab, and consequently bleeding (perhaps dangerously so).  

As far as signs that require medical attention--what were you referring to?  Signs during labor?  Signs for you afterwards?  Signs for baby afterwards?  My first thought was the baby in the first few days of life, so that's what I wrote.  I'm sure others have more to add, but here's a quick list.

Signs baby needs medical attention after delivery (these are more post post delivery, not immediate ones that would occur in the first few minutes)

• Baby's color changes from pink to a more dusky/gray/blue color, especially around the mouth.
• Baby seems to be struggling to breathe
• Baby has retractions (skin between ribs pulls in with each breath)
• Baby is grunting (grunting/growling/sighing with each breath)
• Baby is breathing rapidly--more than 60 breaths per minute
• Baby seems lethargic and slow to respond
• Baby has a severe yellow jaundice color
• Sustained poor feeding

• Baby does not have a wet and a dirty diaper in the first 36 hours or so
• Baby has a fever higher than 37.5 (Celsius)