Fetal development: your baby's lungs

Graphic of fetal lung development
Jonathan Dimes for BabyCenter
Your baby's lungs are one of the last organs to be mature enough for life outside the womb. Find out when in pregnancy the lungs start to grow and what you can do during pregnancy to support this process.

How do my baby’s lungs develop during pregnancy?

When your baby is in your womb, he gets oxygen from your blood through the placenta. He won't need his lungs to get oxygen until he's born and takes his first breath. To be ready for that, his respiratory system starts to develop from very early on in pregnancy.

At six weeks, a small pouch of tissue called the lung bud is created from the front wall of the tube that will become your baby's food pipe (oesophagus). Over the next week, this single bud will evolve into the beginnings of your baby's windpipe (trachea) that splits into two air tubes (bronchus) with a different lung bud at the end of each tube.

At eight weeks of pregnancy, the lung buds start branching to create a system of air tubes (bronchi) that connect with your baby’s windpipe. The branches form a kind of respiratory "tree" in each lung. As your baby grows and develops, more branches sprout off these main bronchi, getting smaller and smaller as more are added.

From as early as ten weeks of pregnancy, your baby is making breathing movements in your womb.

By about 18 weeks of pregnancy, the smallest air tubes (bronchioles) are developing. At around 26 weeks, tiny respiratory sacs develop at the end of these bronchioles. These will continue to multiply and develop, becoming the alveoli.

The alveoli have a vital function in your baby’s lungs. They allow the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air in the lungs and the blood in the arteries and veins.

From as early as 21 weeks, cells within the respiratory sacs start making a substance called surfactant. Surfactant coats the developing alveoli. Later on, it will keep the lungs from collapsing when there's not a lot of air in them, for example, when exhaling.

Some babies have more surfactant than others, but most have enough in their lungs by about 26 weeks to 28 weeks of pregnancy. This will help them to survive if born prematurely, though they may need to be given tiny quantities of extra surfactant in hospital to help them take in oxygen.  

At 24 weeks to 28 weeks of pregnancy, your baby spends up to 20 per cent of his time inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid. This process is essential for lung development and helps your baby prepare for life outside the womb. By 30 weeks of pregnancy, he’s spending up to 40 per cent of his time practising his breathing.

At 34 weeks of pregnancy, your baby’s respiratory sacs have grown and multiplied. Their walls have become much thinner and they are now known as alveoli. Tiny blood vessels begin to bulge into the sacs. These help to create more surface area to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. This process is known as "gas exchange" and it can start from as early as 28 weeks of pregnancy, before the alveoli are even fully formed.

By 40 weeks, your baby has about 150 million alveoli in his lungs, ready to take over the job of breathing once he's born. By the time your child is eight years old, he will have another 150 million, which is the same number as you.

So how does your baby know to take his first breath? It's most likely a reflex response to the sudden change in temperature, touch and being exposed to air for the first time. Contrary to what you might have seen in series or movies, slapping a baby's bottom isn't necessary, though some babies may need a gentle rub with a towel to encourage them to take their first breath.

When your baby inhales for the first time, his lungs expand, and any fluid remaining in the alveoli is replaced with air. The alveoli then start the life-sustaining process of gas exchange.

What are the milestones in my baby’s lung development during pregnancy?

Weeks pregnantWhat's happening
6 weeksLung bud develops.
7 weeksLung bud branches into two buds, one for each main air tube (bronchus).
8 weeks More air tubes (bronchi) start to form in the lungs.
10 weeksBreathing movements begin.
18-26 weeks Bronchi branch into smaller air tubes (bronchioles) which start to expand.
26 weeks onwardsRespiratory sacs develop at the end of each outer bronchiole. They continue to grow, multiply and become coated in protective surfactant.
24-30 weeks Your baby spends around a third of his time inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid (practice breathing).
28 weeksGas exchange may be possible.
35 weeksThere's usually enough surfactant coating the maturing respiratory sacs (alveoli) to support lung function at birth.
40 weeks There are now 150 million alveoli in the lungs, and another 150 million will form during childhood.

How can I help my baby’s lungs develop during pregnancy?

Premature birth is the greatest threat to the development of your baby's lungs, so call your doctor right away if you notice your waters breaking, regular contractions or bleeding before 37 weeks.

Sometimes, the signs that labour has started may be subtle, such as dull cramps or backache. Find out some of the other signs of premature labour.

It's always best to be cautious, so call your doctor right away if you have any unusual symptoms at any time during your pregnancy.

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Last reviewed June 2021


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