I am still not sure that I have an answer to my original question... how is
it that the lungs of a term baby are chock a block with old yellow mec at
elective section, (for poor CTG). I am assuming from what you all say,
that there was an insult somewhere in the preceeding days ? weeks that caused
the baby to gasp? MM
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, May 30, 2003 9:04 AM
Subject: [ozmidwifery] Fetal Lung
Fluid
Dear All,
Here is a piece of news that will (may) knock your socks off.
Fetal lung fluid in utero is completely different than amniotic
fluid. That is, its Ph is similar to the very acidic stomach
fluid. There is no mix of amniotic fluid and lung fluid even during
fetal respirations in utero.
Fetal respiration reduces and even stops prior to and during
labour. Absorpiton of the fetal lung fluid then starts to begin.
The lung fluid is not 'squeezed' out at birth, and you can tell mum's
that during caesarean this is not necessary - are you all still with me! and
the squeesing effect from a vaginal birth is not a necessary process for the
expansion of the lungs. This is one of the factors that babies don't
drown during a waterbirth.
Absorption of the fetal lung fluid into the capillaries is vital as
this process is an important part of the expansion of the capillaries of
the lung so blood can flow into the blood vessels of the lung so gas exchange
can occur.
The fluid is usually reabsorbed within a few hours after birth and
it is the malabsorption or slow absorption of the lung fluid that is
responsible for transient TTN not that lung fluid is expelled from
the lung. This is why TTN is transient and babies recover after a few
hours.
Regards,
Anne Clarke
Johnson, P (1996)
Birth under water - to breathe or not to breathe, British Journal of
Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Vo. 103, pp 202-208.
Karlber, P et al
(1962) alteration of the infant's thorax during vaginal delivery'. Acta
Obstetrca Gynecol Scandavia. Vol.41, p 223.
