From:	Calvin Hsieh <u2172778@*******.ACSU.UNSW.EDU.AU>
Subject:	Re: Underwater breathing
Date:	Thu, 28 Nov 1996 21:56:39 +1100

At 09:36 PM 27/11/96 -0700, you wrote:
SNIP!
>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.

Yeah, I knew that. Just wanted to keep my email brief. Recall the creation
of the lung surfactant starts during the 28th week from memory... Actually,
a major component of amniotic fluid is recycled fluid from the urinary
system (mesonephros and metanephros) and not really from the gut. Remember
that the gut has to undergo canalization!

Sorry about this anatomical info, I can't help myself!

Shaman

>
>Just some info.
>
>Glenn
>
>