Changes at Birth


Lungs

  • fluid squeezed out by passage through birth canal

  • inflate

  • vascular resistance drops

  • bradykinins released

Heart

  • pressure in right-side of heart drops

  • foramen ovale closes

Vasculature

  • increasing oxygen tension causes ductus arteriosus to shut

  • umbilical arteries constrict

  • umbilical vein remains patent into neonatal period allowing administration of drugs

 

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