1. In utero, babies get their oxygen through the umbilical cord from the placenta. Their lungs are partially collapsed and filled with liquid.
2. During a vaginal birth, baby’ lungs are being massaged. They gently expand and contract, getting ready for their first breath.
3. Right after the birth, the cells responsible for secreting fluid in baby’s lungs start absorbing fluid instead to make room for incoming oxygen. The transition happens almost immediately and usually babies take their first breath within ten seconds of birth.
4. Baby’s first breath is a primal reflex. It is thought to be triggered by the change in air temperature and environment.
5. Around 95% of babies will take their first breath without help. Most babies who need a little bit of help will only require basic stimulation such as drying and rubbing their body. Less than 1% of babies require advanced resuscitation including compressions and drugs.
6. Baby’s first cry indicates that the lungs are already functioning. The cry also helps to get rid of excess fluid and mucus and clear the way for breathing.
7. The first breath is hard work for a newborn. Imagine blowing up a balloon for the first time. The balloon is like the newborn’s lungs. Your first attempt to blow up the balloon takes a lot of effort, but once you get started it becomes easier. The next time you blow it up, it’s easier still. Once baby’s lungs have begun working, the muscles involved in breathing don’t have to work so hard to keep them inflated. The first few breaths your baby takes may be shallow and irregular, but they will soon become deeper and regular as your baby adjusts to breathing on their own.
8. Delayed cord clamping is very important as baby’s oxygenated blood is still being delivered from the placenta. After they are born babies still receive oxygen from their mother, even once they’ve started breathing for themselves. This will stop once the cord is no longer pulsing.
9. If you are birthing in water, your baby will only take their first breath once they are exposed to air. For this reason, when you are close to birthing your baby in the water you will need to make sure that your bottom half remains submerged so there is no risk of baby breathing in air and then breathing in water. Althought there is no rush, it is advised to bring baby out of the water within the first ten seconds after birth.
10. Research has shown that a protein produced by baby’s lungs (surfactant protein A) activates a chemical reaction in the uterus that stimulates the inflammatory response that begins the natural process of labour. This means that nature’s design is for labour to only start once baby’s lung are mature enough to take their first breath!
Photo by Lindsey Eden Photography