Pregnancy Tips - Things No One Tells You

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The things no one tells you no.12:
Will my baby breathe?

Mumofsix` featured blog about things no one tells you.

`I thought I would, every now and then,
add a little bit of info that
took me by surprise with my first baby.`

My mood while writing this blog:
Ok

When baby is first born they don't always breathe straight away and it can be a little scary. Usually it seems longer than it actually is. The movies always show the baby coming out and screaming straight away. Don't worry if this doesn't happen as quickly as you expect. My 4th baby took about 1.5 minutes to breath and it felt like half an hour while I waited. He was very blue looking but turned out just fine with great apgar score. I guess we just want that reassurance that all is well.

3 Comments on Will my baby breathe?

krystasappleseed - Monday, 26 Jan
my daughter did not breath right away. they receive oxygen fro mthe umbilical cord until it is clamped and then cut so they are in no danger of brain damage or anything. and actually i had heard of the wait till the cord is done pulsing to clamp but my doctor talked me out of it because those babies have a higher occurence of jaundice.

Danikas-mumma - Saturday, 10 Jan
i don't think my baby was breathing at all for a bit after she was born

goonieMomma - Wednesday, 9 Apr
It differs a bit in the US, where they clamp the cord as soon as the baby enters the world... causing the gasping/gagging/screaming most parents find reassuring (?!). You can request that the dr. not cut the cord until it stops pulsating, which will assure the extra oxygen to the babe as it adjust to the chilly, dry air! This often provokes the blinking/gazing/quiet baby, making them seem so curious. Whether or not the dr. will remember this request is a WHOLE different issue... (I'm kind of down on birthing practices in the US right now... harumph) Most doula and midwife assisted births happen this way.
If, after the cord is cut, no screams are evoked, have daddy offer to smack it on the bottom, as is the custom in so many great oldie films! (just kidding, ladies!!)