From: | Glenn Robertson <Glenn.Robertson@***.EDU> |
---|---|
Subject: | Re: Underwater breathing |
Date: | Wed, 27 Nov 1996 21:36:36 -0700 |
> BTW, humans can't do this - collapsing the lungs for a human has disastrous
> effects. We're not very good at reinflating them. I know someone is going to
> mention babies breathing once they born. But, I'm referring to both the
> physical processes referring to the lungs as well as the lack of stimulus
> from the nervous system!
Just FYI, babies before they are born do not have collapsed lungs. The
lungs have some fluid in them. Hence the risk of having babies gestate
for too long of a time, they may pass their first bowel movement in their
amniotic fluid and subsequently end up with some of it in their lungs,
where it remains at birth and causes serious problems. At birth, air
rushes in as the refill after being squeezed somewhat thru the birth
canal.
Just some info.
Glenn