How Babies Breathe In The Womb | How Do Babies Get Oxygen In The Womb | How Do Babies Breathe In Utero | Do Babies Breathe In The Womb

How Babies Breathe In The Womb | How Do Babies Get Oxygen In The Womb | How Do Babies Breathe In Utero | Do Babies Breathe In The Womb

Babies in the womb need oxygen in order for their development. But you won’t believe the unborn child never breathes before their birth. This shows that unborn babies never breathe in their mother’s womb. In fact, the umbilical cord is the only way that baby gets oxygen before birth. 

In early pregnancy, the lungs begin to develop, but it is completed till the third trimester. Which is around 24-36 weeks of pregnancy, this is the time when the alveoli are developed, and the baby finds it difficult to breathe on its own. Once the sacs are completely developed, the baby may find it difficult to breathe outside of the womb.

While giving birth, the mother often worries about their baby's going to breathe, specifically when the baby passes through the narrow row of the birth canal. So it’s clear that the baby is been provided oxygen through the umbilical cord until it’s born.

 
Quick facts about how babies breathe in the womb
In the beginning week of the pregnancy, the baby seems like a ball of cells more than a human. So in the initial stage, the baby doesn’t need to breathe.

The main source for breathing is only the umbilical cord which is connected to the fetus.
Due to the umbilical cord attachment, there is no risk of the baby drowning in or outside of the womb.

How are babies breathing in the womb?
Breathing is been enables by the umbilical cord and organs in the placenta which enables to development of a baby from the mother. When the mother breaths the oxygen is been pushed towards her blood vessel. The oxygen is been carried from the placenta to the placenta of the baby and makes its way toward the baby. 

Fetal breathing 
When the fetus is at 10 – 11 weeks of pregnancy it starts to inhale some amount of amniotic fluid. This is also more likely to be a swallowing movement. This way the lungs of the baby start to develop. So this way in the 32 weeks, the baby is likely to start breathing-like movements, which are swallowing kind of movements that helps in expanding the lungs.
Although the lungs are not completely developed at 32 weeks this helps the baby to survive after birth.

This breathing practice is a growth milestone for the baby which brings success during the first cry. The baby's lungs become mature in the 36th week. But at that time the baby should be having four weeks of inhaling practice.

Breathing during delivery
When the baby enters the 40th week, the baby’s body is completely prepared to enter the world. The mother’s uterus contracts and retract during labor. This is the severe pain that every mother goes through during delivery. The baby is been squeezed and makes its way towards the birth passage out into the world. The contractions also help the amniotic fluid out of the infant's lungs, fixing the breathing issue.

When the mother's water breaks it results in a seal break between the baby and the outside world. Until the baby is attached to the mother's umbilical cord, the baby may not try to breathe on its own. As soon as the baby enters the world it takes a sharp inhale and breathes for the first time by itself. 

This way the lungs bring oxygen to the baby’s bloodstream without the mother’s interference for the very first time. 

Breathing after birth
The news born lungs are ready to carry them through a lifetime. However, the respiratory system keeps on going developing. The oxygen is been exchanged in the lungs by a tiny sac known as alveoli, and this may continue even after birth. 

Commonly most babies have 30 to 50 million alveoli in the lungs. At the age of 8, the alveoli may increase up to 300 million. When the lungs develop the alveoli occupy a new exterior area of the lungs. This may support the growing human oxygen needs. 

The vital organs are been encircle by bones of the rib cage. The bones become harder as the baby grows as well the lungs become more secure. This is also an essential part of the respiratory system. 

Sometimes the baby may swallow bits of the first bowel movements while birth. This is known as meconium. In such a case, it becomes important to quickly remove the baby from the womb. Meconium may pollute the baby’s delicate lungs. 

What should one avoid during pregnancy?
If the baby is premature the common complication is that the lungs are not completely mature. It may result in conditions like respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and pneumonia. Mothers should concentrate on diet and lifestyle during pregnancy to prevent premature delivery.

The pregnant would avoid the suggested by The American Association:
Sushi
Uncooked meat and eggs
Deli meat

This food contains toxic chemicals and bacteria that should not pass to a baby during the baby's growth. Mothers should limit their caffeine intake, and also alcoholic beverages. Mothers should also avoid skin products and cosmetics containing salicylic acid.

In any case, if any medicine you feel is unsafe immediately consult your doctor instead of taking risk of continuing it.