What is Newborn Transition?

Transition is the immediate period of time following birth. Transition is significant for the physiological adaption from intrauterine life to extrauterine life. The newborn must transition from being wholly dependant on the placenta for oxygen and nutrients to breathing air and obtaining oxygen independently of the placenta; this process is accomplished over a period of hours to days.

Successful transition from fetal to neonatal life requires the newborn to clear liquid from their airways to allow gas exchange to occur in the alveoli and the cardiovascular system needs to undergo a significant structural and functional reorganisation. The link below provides and over view of this process by James Yates)