How Are Babies Born?

Ages 3-5 Simple Explanation

You know how a baby chick has to come out of its egg when it is ready? Human babies have to come out too when they are done growing inside the mommy! When the baby is big enough and strong enough, the mommy's body knows it is time. The mommy usually goes to a hospital where doctors and nurses are there to help.

You know how your muscles help you lift things and push things? The mommy has special muscles that help push the baby out of her body. It takes a lot of work, and the mommy is very brave and strong. The doctors and nurses help her the whole time to make sure everything goes well.

You know how sometimes there is more than one way to do something? Some babies come out through a special opening in the mommy's body, and some babies come out through a small cut that the doctor carefully makes in the mommy's tummy. Both ways are safe, and the doctor picks the best way for the mommy and baby.

After the baby is born, it takes its very first breath of air and usually cries -- and that is actually a good thing because it means the baby's lungs are working! Then the mommy and daddy get to hold the baby and give it lots of love. It is a very happy and exciting day for the whole family!

Ages 6-8 More Detail

When a baby has finished growing and is ready to be born (usually around nine months), the mother's body starts a process called labor. During labor, the muscles of the uterus begin to squeeze and tighten over and over. These squeezes are called contractions, and they help push the baby down toward the opening of the birth canal.

The birth canal is a stretchy passage that leads from the uterus to outside the mother's body. As contractions continue, the opening (called the cervix) slowly widens to let the baby through. This part of labor can take several hours, and doctors and nurses monitor both the mother and baby to make sure they are doing well.

When the opening is wide enough, the mother pushes with her muscles to help the baby move through the birth canal. Most babies are born headfirst. Once the baby's head comes out, the rest of the body follows quickly. The doctor or midwife gently helps guide the baby out.

As soon as the baby is born, it takes its first breath and usually starts crying. Crying is actually a great sign -- it means the baby's lungs are filling with air for the first time! The umbilical cord is then clamped and cut. This does not hurt the baby or the mother at all, and the spot where the cord was attached becomes the baby's belly button.

Sometimes a baby cannot be born through the birth canal safely, so the doctor performs a C-section instead. During a C-section, the doctor makes a small cut in the mother's belly and uterus and carefully lifts the baby out. The mother is given medicine so she does not feel pain. Both vaginal birth and C-section are common, safe ways for babies to be born.

Ages 9-12 Full Explanation

The process of being born usually starts when the baby is fully developed, around 40 weeks of pregnancy. The mother's body releases signals that trigger labor, a series of events that work to deliver the baby from the uterus into the outside world. The first sign of labor is often regular contractions -- the muscles of the uterus tightening and relaxing in a pattern. These contractions gradually become stronger and closer together over time.

During early labor, the cervix (the narrow opening at the bottom of the uterus) slowly dilates, or opens up, from being nearly closed to about 10 centimeters wide. This process can take many hours, especially for a first-time mother. The amniotic sac that has been protecting the baby may also break, releasing the fluid inside -- this is often called the "water breaking." Doctors and nurses keep a close watch on the mother and baby throughout this stage.

Once the cervix is fully dilated, the mother enters the pushing stage. She uses her abdominal muscles along with the contractions of the uterus to push the baby down through the birth canal (also called the vagina). The baby usually comes out headfirst. The birth canal is stretchy enough to allow the baby to pass through, though the process is physically demanding for the mother. The pushing stage can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.

Immediately after the baby is born, it takes its first breath. The cry that most newborns let out helps their lungs expand and start working on their own. The umbilical cord, which connected the baby to the placenta, is clamped and cut. Since the cord has no nerve endings, this is painless. Shortly after, the placenta itself is delivered -- this is sometimes called the afterbirth. The small stump left from the umbilical cord dries up and falls off within a couple of weeks, leaving behind the belly button.

Not all babies are born through the birth canal. In about one out of every three births, a cesarean section (C-section) is performed. This might happen if the baby is in an unusual position, if the labor is not progressing, or if there are health concerns for the mother or baby. During a C-section, the mother receives medicine that numbs the lower half of her body. The doctor then makes a small cut through the belly and uterus to lift the baby out directly.

After birth, whether vaginal or C-section, medical staff check the baby's health right away. They measure the baby's weight, length, and overall condition. The baby is usually placed on the mother's chest for skin-to-skin contact, which helps the baby stay warm and feel secure. This moment -- when the family meets their new baby for the first time -- is one of the most meaningful experiences in life.