Abstract
The fetus prepares for birth by storing energy, accumulating brown fat, and the maturation of the lungs. During vaginal delivery catecholamines are released. The blood levels are about 20-fold higher than in resting adults. This is of importance for the neonatal adaptation. The noradrenergic system in the brain (locus ceruleus) is also activated, which arouses the newborn infant. Genes and transcription factors are also switched on. Breathing movements are generated already around 11 gestational weeks in the fetus, although the fetus is breathing lung fluid. This respiration occurs only during active sleep. At birth, the breathing becomes continuous probably triggered by the stress of being born and cooling. The newborn baby has to generate a high negative pressure to exchange the lung fluid with air.
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Lagercrantz, H. (2016). The Stress of Being Born and First Breaths. In: Infant Brain Development. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44845-9_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44845-9_5
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