Babies do not use their lungs to breathe during their pregnancy, but they do develop organs such as the heart and lungs. They begin developing their lungs at six weeks of age and respiratory cells begin to produce surfactant around twenty-one weeks. Although babies are not able to breathe while inside the womb, they get oxygen from different sources. This article will look at these different ways.
As the womb fills with fluid, the lungs develop and mature, ready for the baby to take his first breath after birth. Stage five of lung development starts at the second trimester and continues through childhood. The baby is about two to three millimeters long at this time, and his major organs are developing. By that time, the lung bud is beginning to develop from a tiny tube of cells called the foregut. At the end of the pregnancy, the lungs and gut will separate.
The placenta and umbilical cord provide the baby with oxygen and other essentials. During labor, the cord can be compressed, disrupting the oxygen supply to the baby. Though this can be a serious issue, it is usually not serious. The lungs of the unborn baby get their oxygen from the mother’s umbilical vein. Although they do not breathe in the womb, they still supply the baby with oxygen.
As a developing child, your baby doesn’t use its lungs until it’s outside of the womb. Instead, it relies on the breath of your mother to provide oxygen for the baby. In the first few weeks, the developing baby looks more like a ball of cells than a person. In addition to being a living thing, the umbilical cord and placenta are vital for the development of the baby.
Also, read Can You Feel Baby Move at 11 Weeks?
