What Is the Importance of First Cry After the Birth?
Doctors, midwives, and nurses surround the newborn from the minute he or she is born. The first cry signifies the baby's entry into the new world. Some newborns cry immediately after birth, and few do not cry after birth. At birth, the cry is considered to be a positive thing. Immediately after the delivery, the health care providers clear the nose and mouth using a suction, some times the babies do it on their own; the lungs expel the fluids in the nose, making the baby cry.
Why Is First Cry Important?
When women are in the motherhood phase, the baby's continuous cry is irritating, but the very first cry of the baby makes them feel good. It is a joyous and precious moment in a mother's life. The first cry ensures the baby has crossed the first and most crucial hurdle to survive.
Through the placenta and umbilical cord, the fetus receives oxygen and nutrients directly from the mother's womb during pregnancy. The baby does not use its lungs. Lungs are the last organs formed during the baby's growth in the mother's womb. Immediately after birth, the baby is disconnected from the previous source of supply of oxygen and nutrients, so immediately, the lungs start stimulating and expressing in the form of a cry. The lungs stimulate and start their first breath after birth. During this, oxygen is supplied to various body parts, which is a positive sign.
Does Baby’s First Cry Help in Breathing?
Yes, the baby's first cry helps them to breathe. As the lungs do not develop during the last phase of pregnancy, the placenta and umbilical cord do the oxygen supply. During labor, the fluid in the lungs gets dried out. However, there will be a small number of fluids in the lungs. The baby cries and begins breathing independently as the process of draining fluids from the lungs is completed.
What Happens if the Baby Does Not Cry Immediately After the Birth?
The babies start crying immediately after birth. This makes babies breathe and encourages them to supply oxygen to various parts body. But all babies are different; sometimes, the little ones may not cry. Some doctors may use traditional methods of making the baby cry, such as giving pain stimuli to the baby. Some doctors may also opt for massaging the baby to make them cry.
What Are the Possible Causes of a Baby Not Crying at Birth?
Short labor and C-section delivery may disrupt the hormonal changes that initiate the respiratory transition. As a result, a newborn may not cry during birth. Furthermore, the mother's pain medication may cause the newborn to be drowsy upon birth, necessitating assistance in reactivating the lungs. Other possible causes include a difficult, prolonged birth and oxygen starvation caused by the umbilical cord wrapping around the fetus's neck. When a newborn's Apgar score for breathing is low, the doctor may wait a moment to observe if the baby can breathe on his or her own or with additional stimulation. After assessing at one minute, five, ten, and fifteen, the optimal score is 9 or 10. However, a low breathing score after five minutes necessitates the intervention of a doctor.
Babies that are breathing but are silent are more likely to have a serious condition. Asphyxia or oxygen deprivation can occur before, during, or after birth for various reasons. The likelihood of oxygen insufficiency may be increased by an Apgar score of three or below at one and five minutes postpartum, weak muscular tone, breathing difficulties, excessive levels of acids in the cord blood, and bluish skin. A newborn whose respiration is not critical may require oxygen in these settings. Still, other than oxygen loss due to adapting outside the womb, there are numerous potential reasons why a baby may not cry when delivered, including major congenital problems and birth injuries.
How Do Doctors Help Babies Cry?
The first cry is essential and assures the sign of survival. Therefore, if the baby does not cry, the doctor uses the traditional method of making the baby scream, such as:
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Turn the baby upside down and slap hard on the little butt, which causes pain, and the baby starts crying. The pain and tilting upside down can also help to expel the fluids from the nasal cavity and helps the baby to breathe.
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Some doctors may use modern methods to clear the nasal tract by using the suction pump, which clears the lungs and the nasal passages and allows the baby to breathe properly.
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Another technique is using a soft, rough towel and gently rubbing the baby's delicate skin, causing the baby discomfort, which makes the baby cry.
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If all these methods fail, the baby is shifted to NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) and oxygen is supplied using artificial tubes.
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The doctors perform the Apgar test to know the overall performance of the baby after the birth.
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The Apgar evaluates the following criteria such as :
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Breathing efforts.
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Muscle tone.
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Heart rate.
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Skin color.
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Reflexes.
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The Apgar test evaluates how the child survives outside the mother's womb. The criteria mentioned above are scores of one, two, three, four, and five based on their performance.
No matter the type of delivery, it s essential for the baby to cry immediately after birth, which gives assurance to the mother. Sometimes the doctor's intervention is required to make the baby cry.
Conclusion:
It is crucial not to be concerned if the baby does not begin howling immediately after birth, regardless of the delivery style. It is vital to ensure that the doctors and medical staff in the area are experienced and well-equipped to make the baby scream or take corrective measures to ensure its well-being. One will have the bundle of joy in the arms in no time, either howling for food or cooing sweetly and dozing in the warmth of one’s presence.
