4 Monitor birth
5Check baby
6Wrap baby
7Deliver afterbirth
EMERGENCY CHILDBIRTH
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4 Monitor birth
• If the woman feels the urge to push, encourage her to bear down with each contraction.
• Tell her when the widest part of the baby’ s head is visible. At this point she needs to stop pushing and change her breathing technique to panting.
• Check for a layer of membrane over the baby’ s face. If there is one, tear it away.
• Check that the umbilical cord is not wrapped around the baby’ s neck. If it is, then very gently pull it over the baby’ s head to prevent strangulation.
• Once the baby’ s head and shoulders are visible, the next contraction should expel the rest of the baby’ s body.
5Check baby
• Lift up the baby very carefully and lay her on her mother’ s stomach.
• Newborn babies will appear blue initially. Look for signs of circulation( p. 17). If the baby remains blue and shows no signs of life, begin resuscitation( pp. 12 – 20).
6Wrap baby
• Wrap the baby in a clean blanket or towel, still with the umbilical cord attached, and give her to the mother to hold.
• If the mother cannot hold the baby, place the baby on her side on a firm but soft surface.
7Deliver afterbirth
• Mild contractions will continue after the baby is born until the placenta is delivered.
• Put the placenta into a plastic bag so that a doctor or midwife can check that it is complete.
• Clean the mother with warm water and towels and give her sanitary napkins to absorb any further bleeding.
• Some bleeding is normal, but if the bleeding seems excessive, massage the mother’ s stomach just below the navel to help control the flow.
• Advise the mother to breastfeed, if possible, because it encourages the uterus to contract.
! Important
• Do not give the mother anything to eat.
• Do not pull the baby’ s head and shoulders out.
• Do not cut the umbilical cord.
• Do not dispose of the afterbirth.
• Do not smack the baby.