Umbilical Cord Triggers First Breath

A newborn's first breath is triggered in part by the process of labor itself. During contractions, blood flow through the umbilical cord temporarily decreases, reducing oxygen delivery and causing carbon dioxide levels to rise in the baby's body. The increase in carbon dioxide leads to acidosis, which stimulates the respiratory center in the brain. This signal prompts the newborn to take its first breath and begin using its lungs instead of relying on the placenta for oxygen.

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