Meconium spillage is a complication seen at or near term, typically when there is fetal distress with loss of anal sphincter tone and passage of meconium into amniotic fluid. A clue to this occurrence is greenish staining of fetal skin or fetal surface of the placenta. The worst consequence of meconium spillage is meconium aspiration into the lungs. Fetal distress also leads to reflex gasping efforts by the baby, with the result that the meconium in the amniotic cavity is aspirated into the lungs. Rugby ball shaped balls of meconium as well as numerous "squames" from fetal skin are seen here.