<P> Meconium is normally retained in the infant 's bowel until after birth , but sometimes it is expelled into the amniotic fluid ( also called `` amniotic liquor '' ) prior to birth or during labor and delivery . The stained amniotic fluid ( called `` meconium liquor '' or `` meconium stained liquor '' ) is recognised by medical staff that this may be a sign of fetal distress . Some post-dates pregnancies ( where the woman is more than 40 weeks pregnant ) may also have meconium stained liquor without fetal distress . Medical staff may aspirate the meconium from the nose and mouth of a newborn immediately after delivery in the event the baby shows signs of respiratory distress to decrease the risk of meconium aspiration syndrome . </P>
<P> Meconium is normally retained in the infant 's bowel until after birth , but sometimes it is expelled into the amniotic fluid ( also called `` amniotic liquor '' ) prior to birth or during labor and delivery . The stained amniotic fluid ( called `` meconium liquor '' or `` meconium stained liquor '' ) is recognised by medical staff that this may be a sign of fetal distress . Some post-dates pregnancies ( where the woman is more than 40 weeks pregnant ) may also have meconium stained liquor without fetal distress . Medical staff may aspirate the meconium from the nose and mouth of a newborn immediately after delivery in the event the baby shows signs of respiratory distress to decrease the risk of meconium aspiration syndrome . </P>
when does a baby have its first bowel movement
when does a baby have its first bowel movement
after birth
after birth