“How do babies breathe in the womb after the water breaks?”
I am a 24 year old pregnant woman. I want to know how do babies breathe in the womb after the water breaks?
3 Answers
Babies don't need to breathe in utero, but do continue to practice breathing even after your water breaks. The fetal circulation gives the baby the oxygen needed until delivery. At that time, the circulation switches to newborn circulation as the baby takes breaths and forces the amniotic fluid out of the lungs.
Hello,
They can do "practice breathing," however, they do not get oxygen that way. Even after the bag of waters breaks, they still receive all of their oxygen through the umbilical cord. They are not fish! They can breathe in and out the amniotic fluid, however, they do not exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide when they do that.
I hope this helps.
Joseph A. Adashek, MD FACOG
They can do "practice breathing," however, they do not get oxygen that way. Even after the bag of waters breaks, they still receive all of their oxygen through the umbilical cord. They are not fish! They can breathe in and out the amniotic fluid, however, they do not exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide when they do that.
I hope this helps.
Joseph A. Adashek, MD FACOG
Dr. Jessica Scotchie
OB-GYN (Obstetrician-Gynecologist) | Reproductive Endocrinology
Chattanooga, TN
They don't breathe until after delivery. Their blood supply and oxygen continue to come from the placenta and umbilical cord.
