What is meconium?
Meconium is the waste matter passed by the fetus in utero or newborn. Varying in color from yellow to dark green, its shade depends on the level of amniotic fluid present and can either be watery or like pea soup in consistency. The fetus passes meconium as a response to the compression of the umbilical cord while in the uterus or a reduction in the supply of oxygen. As the fetus matures it simply represents the normal bodily function of the growing fetus. Meconium is present in the amniotic fluid of about 20% of all babies at term, and up to 40% by Week 42.
