Newborn with frothy sputum, please advise.

Specialties Ob/Gyn

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We had a c-section baby, that had some difficulty breathing for a while. She was full term, mother had no health problems but had elective c/s. Baby was crying but grunting with retractions. I noticed that she also spit out frothy sputum. She did pink up pretty fast, but she was still having difficulty breathing, for at least 15 minutes, and then she improved after some chest PT and suctioning. They took her away for observation, but I would say she was not in critical condition.

Could anyone say from their experience what this frothy sputum is all about? Thanks.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

The problem I have with 'elective" csections is when they are in healthy primips without medical indiction or reason. The elective repeat csection is a whole different case altogether. Very good point, prmenrs!

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Dawngloves, you are right about vasovagal-----we get a quick heart-rate before doing this---if low, we don't deep suction right away. That is where percussion and stimulation and bulb suction come in.

I have yet to see a baby vasovagal and stay down there---- if done quickly and properly in the right conditions, unless baby was already sick. What I have seen is way too many babies struggling for hours to a whole day or more trying to bring up secretions---and poorly feeding as a result. Deep suctioning can prevent this in the right case.

I've never seen it either, but I've had docs slap my hands many a time while they watch the clock. :rolleyes: Also, they have been moving away from chest pt because of , "no conclusive study" How about the "I've kept many a kid out the NICU with a septic work up because he had junk in him until I whacked his back!" study? :p

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

ROFL Dawn.

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

I also know of a older primip who had an elective section because it was already known she had an A/V malformation in her brain! No way did they want her pushing!!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Yep, but then that would be a medical indication, clearly. To me, this is hardly "elective" and more like "necessary".

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