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1. Allow your physician to clear and suction the baby's airway as
soon as possible after delivery. This procedure reduces the amount of meconium
that actually gets into the baby's lungs when the doctor places an endotracheal
tube in the baby's windpipe. This tube allows the doctor to remove meconium
that is in the baby's airway.
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2. Permit a physician or nurse to tap on your baby's chest. The
tapping helps loosen any secretions of meconium in your baby's lungs. This
makes it easier for the baby to get rid of the meconium secretions.
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3. Give your baby oxygen therapy. Often babies with meconium
aspiration syndrome have trouble getting enough oxygen into their lungs. Being
under an oxygen hood helps your baby get more oxygen. In addition, a ventilator
may be necessary when your baby needs a lot of oxygen. Ventilators also help
keep your baby's lungs inflated.
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4. Consent to your baby having antibiotics. Infections can occur in
babies that have meconium aspiration syndrome, and antibiotics can help ward
off any infections.
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5. Have your baby take the drug, surfactant, if recommended by your
baby's doctor. Surfactant is a drug that will help keep the air sacs in your
baby's lungs open, thereby increasing oxygen flow to the baby's lungs and
helping make your baby breathe better.
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6. Allow your baby to have nitric oxide because it's useful in
dilating blood vessels. This allows your baby's lungs to receive more oxygen
and blood flow to their lungs.
