Before a baby is born, are its lungs filled with amniotic fluid? or are they constantly in an "exhaled" state?
by 
ThorThpot
ANSWERS: 3
-
Yes! The baby's lungs are filled with amniotic fluid. Once born the baby's "cry" is a sign than it has expelled the fluid and has taken it's first breath of air. Sometimes baby may be a bit dalayed in expelling the amniotic fluid as seen in older movies or cartoons a spank was used to induce a reflex which caused babies to cough out the fluid. In modern Hospitals the fluid is sucked out from baby's mouth and nose with a suction bulb. This is preferred to the spanking as once done. Its better for the newborn to expell the fluid on its own but many things,premature birth,drugs(epidurals) given to Mom, or may delay the natural expellation.
-
They practice breathing with the amniontic fluid and if your far along in pregnancy you can watch your belly move up and down from the baby practicing.
-
Yes, they are filled with amniotic fluid. Hence the traditional "hold upside down and slap backside" to expel the fluid. Not necessary in most cases, and probably better done other ways, but that is why it was done.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC