Meconium Exposure Can Increase the Risk of Complications Following Childbirth
Santa Fe medical malpractice attorney answers your questions: What does the presence of meconium in the amniotic fluid mean?
In his experience as a Santa Fe medical malpractice attorney, Richard A. "Rick" Sandoval has found that most people feel like doctors and nurses speak a foreign language. When clients have questions about medical terms, our team attempts to explain those terms in plain English. Consider, for example, this common question: What does the presence of meconium in the amniotic fluid mean? If your child suffered a birth defect as a result of negligence by a medical professional, a Meconium Aspiration Syndrome lawyer can help you find out what went wrong during delivery and the subsequent period.
Meconium is the medical term for a baby's first stool (bowel movement). It consists largely of mucus and bile; it is thick, sticky and dark green. In most cases, it is discharged when the baby first feeds. However, it can also be discharged before birth or during delivery due to fetal distress.
Meconium aspiration, also referred to as meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is a common cause of severe illness in newborns. Once meconium has been aspirated to the lungs, it cause cause a chemical pneumonia. These babies are at a high risk for severe complications.
The bottom line for most parents is this: Meconium in the amniotic fluid or your child's lungs may be evidence of medical malpractice. The question then becomes, was your baby appropriately monitored during labor and delivery for signs of complications, and how did the medical team respond?
Contact Santa Fe medical malpractice attorney, Richard "Rick" Sandoval
If you have concerns about the care your newborn received during labor or delivery, contact me. As a Santa Fe medical malpractice attorney, I am experienced in reading and evaluating medical records; I know what questions to ask, and I will keep asking until I get a straight answer. To schedule a free initial consultation, call 505.795.7790 or 1-866-BEST LAWYER (1-866-237-8529).
