Your baby is already preparing for their first big breath outside the womb, but during pregnancy, they rely on a remarkable system for oxygen supply: the placenta. While awaiting the moment of birth, here’s how babies breathe in utero and what that process entails.
Do Babies Breathe in the Womb?
Contrary to how we breathe air, babies in the womb engage in what are known as fetal breathing movements. This process involves inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, which helps develop their lungs and build the necessary muscles for breathing. Oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer occurs through the placenta and the umbilical cord, which are essential until birth.
Breathing During and After Birth
As labor begins, the focus often shifts to that pivotal moment when your baby takes their first breath. This marks their transition to life outside the womb and signals the end of reliance on the umbilical cord for oxygen. Until then, fetal breathing movements are crucial for lung maturation.
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In summary, while babies don’t breathe air in the womb, their practice movements are vital for lung development. They receive oxygen through the placenta until the moment they take their first breath at birth, marking a significant milestone in their journey.