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A newborn usually takes their first breath in the first minute of life, out of the womb. After a long or difficult labor, there is sometimes a short delay in those first minutes - this is not a medical emergency as long as the umbilical cord is still attached and pulsating the infant is being oxygenated by the placenta.

The attending Mid-Wife, Nurse or MD will begin stimulating the baby by wiping his or her body vigorously with a towel or blanket, if this doesn't cause the baby to take a breath, they may thump the sole of the baby's foot to cause him or her to cry out which also leads to a breath.

During the last trimester of pregnancy, a baby can be seen taking practice breaths, during an ultrasound exam.

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14y ago

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