There are three main stages of asphyxia. The first is the early stage or compensation stage. The body tries to compensate for the lack of oxygen. Breathing becomes faster and deeper. The heart rate increases to pump more oxygenated blood to vital organs.  Next is the intermediate stage or decompensation stage. Here the body's compensatory mechanisms start to fail. Breathing becomes irregular and shallow, and the heart rate slows down. Blood pressure may drop, and organs like the brain and heart receive less oxygen. In babies, skin might appear pale or bluish due to lack of oxygen. In the late stage or irreversible damage stage, prolonged lack of oxygen leads to permanent damage. Organs begin to fail. Permanent brain damage or death might occur. If oxygen is reintroduced in time, the patient could go through the recovery phase instead of the irreversible damage stage.