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Transition of fetus to newborn

Your baby's development in the womb

The transition of fetus to newborn is a fascinating and beautiful thing to view. The fetus is immersed in amniotic fluid and one hundred percent dependent upon the mother's placenta for nutrition, food, excretion and life. The science of Neonatology takes you through the entire process of the fetus' growth into a breathing, living baby. During the transition of fetus to newborn status, the fetus is placed under quite a bit of stress. It must begin storing muscle glycogen, subcutaneous fat, and adrenal catecholamines. This should occur between the 37th and 40th week of gestation. If it occurs before or after this ideal period, the fetus may undergo harm.

When the mother's uterus contracts during labor, the fetus responds be releasing the stored catecholamine. If labor starts too soon, the fetus will not have enough stores saved, and if labor occurs too late, the fetus will have depleted their stores of adrenaline as well. Doctors determine the status of the newborn using something called the Agpar Score. The Agpar Score rates the health of the baby from one to ten. A score of three or less means the baby is ill. A score of four to six means the infant is a bit sick, but responsive. A score between seven and ten means the newborn is perfectly normal. Post-birth, the baby must suddenly maintain their own warmth, breath through an airway and learn how to eat or suckle for food. They are also suddenly required to maintain blood sugar and process their own metabolic waste. These are all part of the transition of fetus to newborn, that humans have gone through for centuries.

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