Final answer:
The correct option is b). The meconium is the first feces of a newborn, and its passage before birth can indicate fetal distress. It is a possible result of several complications, including maternal drug abuse or placental defects. Prompt medical attention is necessary when meconium is passed in utero to prevent newborn and maternal infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Meconium Definition and Complications
The meconium is b) the first feces of the newborn. It is a tarry, greenish-black substance that begins to accumulate in the fetal intestines during the second half of gestation. Typically, infants do not pass meconium until after birth; however, it can be passed in utero, usually in full-term or post-term newborns and rarely before 34 weeks of gestation. When meconium passage occurs before birth, it is often a sign of fetal distress, particularly fetal hypoxia, which can be caused by various factors such as maternal drug abuse, hypertension, or complications with the placenta.
Normal amniotic fluid is clear, but if meconium is passed, it stains the fluid greenish or yellowish. Meconium in the amniotic fluid can lead to complications such as bacterial infections for the newborn and the birthing person, and cause irritation to the fetal skin. It is crucial that meconium is aspirated from the newborn's airways before the first breath to prevent meconium aspiration syndrome.
Although meconium is sterile, its presence in amniotic fluid counters the fluid's antibiotic properties, thus increasing susceptibility to infections. If passed in utero, it can signal the need for immediate medical attention to address potential complications for both the fetus and the mother during childbirth.