Umbilical Fluids?

Friday, December 11th, 2009 by Rachel

This is a totally serious question. When babies are born on TV or movies, one of two things happens. 1) Baby comes out all squeaky clean (which is strange and bothersome to the viewer as we know this is not how things work in real life). 2) Baby comes out all gross and goopy. Sometimes it’s red, white, tannish. But there is a definite texture on the surface of the baby’s skin.

 

My question is: what material is used to make the baby goopy? It’s got to be something nontoxic and safe, as sometimes it’s in the baby’s eyes and stuff. Is it a food product? Chicken fat? Food coloring?