Final answer:
The term for green or foul-smelling amniotic fluid is meconium-stained amniotic fluid, which occurs when the fetus passes meconium before birth. It's essential to aspirate this from the baby's airways to prevent infections such as neonatal sepsis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that refers to green or foul-smelling amniotic fluid is meconium-stained amniotic fluid. This happens when a fetus has passed meconium into the amniotic fluid, indicating the baby has had a bowel movement prior to birth. Normal amniotic fluid is clear and watery, but meconium-stained amniotic fluid is typically greenish or yellowish.
Meconium can interfere with the antibiotic properties of amniotic fluid and increase susceptibility to bacterial infections. It is crucial for the health of the newborn and mother to have the meconium aspirated from the newborn's airways before the first breath to prevent complications, such as neonatal sepsis or lung issues.
Oligohydramnios refers to too little amniotic fluid, while polyhydramnios indicates excessive amniotic fluid. Chorioamnionitis is an infection of the fetal membranes. These conditions differ from meconium-stained amniotic fluid but can also impact the well-being of the mother and fetus during pregnancy and childbirth.