Certainly, it seems that your son experienced a number of complications that can occur during and shortly after birth, but before I answer your questions, let me first concentrate on the significance of meconium at birth. Meconium Meconium, as you know, is the normal black, tarry stool that babies have for the first couple of days after birth. Usually, meconium does not pass until after the baby is born. Babies born on time or even before 40 weeks may also pass meconium, however, it is just more likely to happen the farther past the due date the baby is. Stress does not necessarily imply a bad thing but simply something that causes the baby's body to work a little harder to maintain adequate oxygen.
Meconium is a good thing when it arrives after the baby has been delivered.
The problem with meconium occurs when it is present in the amniotic fluid before delivery. This thick gooey material can get lodged in the airway should the baby inhale it during delivery. And if enough is inhaled, it may settle in the lungs making it very difficult for the baby to get enough oxygen by breathing after delivery. Fortunately, most of the time when meconium is present in the amniotic fluid, the baby has no trouble with it. Meconium in the amniotic fluid is usually noticed when the water breaks.