WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

When Does My Baby Start Breathing during Childbirth?

Pregnancy
Baby's growth during pregnancy
When Does My Baby Start Breathing during Childbirth?
During childbirth, the transition from receiving oxygen through the placenta to breathing independently is a remarkable process.
Your baby begins the journey of breathing at specific stages of childbirth.
The First Breath: Immediate Post-Delivery
  • As your baby is born, the first breath typically occurs within seconds or minutes after delivery. The sudden exposure to air stimulates the baby's respiratory system, triggering the instinct to breathe.
  • The gentle slap on the baby's backside and the clearing of the airways by the medical team assist in encouraging the first breath. The crying sound you often hear after birth is an indication that your baby has started breathing.
Lung Expansion and Surfactant Production
  • The lungs play a vital role in the breathing process. In the womb, the lungs are filled with fluid, which helps them develop and grow. However, before birth, the lungs produce a substance called surfactant that helps reduce surface tension and prevents the lung tissues from collapsing.
  • As your baby passes through the birth canal, the pressure exerted during the journey helps expel the fluid from the lungs. This expulsion is further facilitated by the squeezing action during contractions. The release of this fluid allows the air sacs in the lungs to expand fully and facilitates proper breathing.
Oxygenation through the Umbilical Cord
  • Before your baby takes the first breath, oxygen is supplied through the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord contains blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the placenta to the baby.
  • Even though your baby is not actively breathing in the womb, the oxygenated blood from the placenta continuously flows through the umbilical cord, providing a steady supply of oxygen until the first breath is taken.
Adapting to Air Breathing
  • After birth, your baby's respiratory system transitions from receiving oxygen through the umbilical cord to breathing air independently. The first breath expands the lungs and initiates the respiratory cycle.
  • As your baby breathes in air, the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place in the lungs. The lungs inflate and deflate with each breath, and the respiratory muscles such as the diaphragm and intercostal muscles work in harmony to facilitate breathing.
Medical Support if Needed
  • In some cases, medical assistance may be necessary to ensure your baby's smooth transition to independent breathing. Medical professionals are trained to provide immediate care and support if your baby experiences any difficulties in breathing.
  • The medical team may provide interventions such as resuscitation, oxygen supplementation, or clearing the airways using specialized equipment to assist your baby's breathing, if needed.
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M
Meagan
28 Jun 2023

So I am 29 weeks and I get barely any movement from baby during the day only at night when I lay down does my baby start kicking is this normal? Like ho we can I count 10 kicks every 2 hrs if I don't get them until bedtime?

Pregnancy Baby's growth during pregnancy
1 comments
R
Riley
yes don’t worry it’s so easy to miss movement when your up and doing things. baby is more active when you are laying down and still because moving around actually rocks the baby to sleep in the womb, babies sleep a lot. i wouldn’t worry as long as your feeling movement everyday you should be fine, try not to stress to much about movements it will drive you crazy 😂 i would still talk to ur ob though if you still get worried❤️
27 Mar 2024

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Hannah
29 Nov 2022

The past 2 days my baby has been up from 2am-6am refusing naps. Does this mean she wants to start being awake more and should I start making her stay awake during the day?

Pregnancy Baby's growth during pregnancy
1 comments
C
Cra’Deja
Could be a growth spurt happening. It’ll get better. Don’t restrict naps. She’ll need them for growing
27 Mar 2024

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A
Ali
22 Nov 2022

When did you start baby on purees? My baby is a little over 5 months and I think he's ready. I breast feed him and he's going thru 25 ounces ish just during the day.

Pregnancy Baby's growth during pregnancy
6 comments
J
Julie 🦢🦢🦢
With my first daughter I gave her baby cereal when she was 4 months old. Not the baby cereal in the box. She ABSOLUTELY hated it! But anyway I'm gonna give my Jolene baby cereal next month when she's 4 months. The doctor told me not to feed her baby veggies or fruits til she's 6 months old which I don't understand. If we can give our babies baby cereal at 4 months old why not baby fruit at least? But maybe you could start your baby off on baby cereal and baby fruit?
27 Mar 2024

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B
Blocked user
I started my daughter in the rice at 2 months
27 Mar 2024

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J
Janel
16 Nov 2022

Does anyone else have trouble breathing during their pregnancy and is it normal? I am currently 26 weeks pregnant and I am having trouble breathing as if my body can’t carry so much weight.

Pregnancy Baby's growth during pregnancy
10 comments
E
Eryn
I can definitely relate! Especially laying in certain positions it feels like my boobs are crushing my lungs 💀 or I just suddenly feel winded sometimes
27 Mar 2024

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B
Betty 👣💙
It is normal! Lots of women experience this, including myself
27 Mar 2024

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K
Kaysha
29 Oct 2022

When my baby born am I suppose to look for a doctor for him or does my OB recommend one ? And can I start looking now at 36 weeks ?

Pregnancy Baby's growth during pregnancy
7 comments
🌼
🌼Angel🌼
My last baby is 14 and back when he was born the pediatrician that works in the same facility as the Dr became his dr so I’m assuming after I have this baby it will be the same way
27 Mar 2024

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carma
26 Aug 2022

so i am 31 weeks pregnant and my baby girl has been sitting low and chillin near my right hip, when does baby usually start to go head down?

Pregnancy Baby's growth during pregnancy
12 comments
M
Melissa
Everyone is diff but my doctor said normally around 31 weeks...my baby girl likes to push around in my right hip too but she's breech 😥
27 Mar 2024

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c
carma
sorry first time momma what does breech mean?
27 Mar 2024

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D
Daisy
13 Dec 2021

18 weeks pregnant and first pregnancy!! My bump is so tiny, when do I start feeling my baby girl move? What does it feel like?

Pregnancy Baby's growth during pregnancy
0 comments
T
Thalia
18 - 20 weeks & it starts as lil gas bubbles & flutters to complete nudges lol
27 Mar 2024

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