This guide provides comprehensive instructions on how to handle emergency childbirth, from initial preparations to the primary care of the newborn and the mother.
Preparing for Labor and Emergencies
Early preparation begins by discussing natural childbirth and cesarean procedures with a doctor and training the couple to recognize signs of labor. When preparing for labor, it is recommended to have a home kit containing:
- Clean towels and sheets.
- Sterile gloves and clean scissors.
- Sanitary pads and baby diapers.
- A guide on infant breathing and safety.
If labor begins, an ambulance should be called immediately. If delivery is imminent before reaching a medical facility, the vehicle should be stopped to provide a warm, dry environment. Ambulances are typically equipped with sterile tools, including various forceps, gauze, sutures, warm water, and baby clothes.
Assessment and Natural Childbirth
When a woman in labor arrives, vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate are measured. Questions are asked regarding previous births and whether she feels an urge to push, which indicates the fetus’s head has reached the pelvic floor. At this stage, the mother should not be moved or allowed to use the restroom; it is strictly forbidden to attempt to push the baby’s head back inside or close the vagina by hand.
In cases of emergency natural childbirth, the following steps are taken:
- Wash hands thoroughly with alcohol and place the mother on her back on a clean sheet.
- Encourage the mother to push when feeling pain and relax between contractions.
- Pierce the amniotic sac if it has not ruptured spontaneously.
- Help the head emerge slowly to avoid vaginal tearing.
- Ensure the umbilical cord is not wrapped around the neck; if it is, lift it above the head or cut it carefully.
- Pull the head downward to deliver the upper shoulder, then upward to deliver the lower shoulder.
Newborn Care After Delivery
Immediately wipe the baby’s face and nose with gauze, and use a rubber bulb syringe to clear mucus from the nasal and throat airways. The umbilical cord is cut after the baby’s first cry; it is closed with two clamps placed apart, then cut and tied 2 cm from the navel.
If the baby does not breathe spontaneously, the following may be done:
- Slap the soles of the feet and the buttocks or sprinkle a little cold water.
- Use an oxygen cylinder if available.
- Perform artificial respiration with short puffs at half-strength to avoid lung rupture.
- Massage the newborn’s heart with one or two fingers.
In the case of a premature birth (before the eighth month or if the weight is less than 2500 grams), the baby requires intensive care, including constant warming, precise mucus suctioning, and slow oxygen administration in a very clean environment.
Managing the Placenta and Critical Cases
Delivery ends with the expulsion of the placenta. Signs of separation include the uterus becoming firm, an increase in the length of the umbilical cord, or a flow of blood. The cord is pulled steadily while applying gentle pressure to the uterus.
Certain situations require immediate transport to a hospital emergency room, including:
- Suspicion of an abnormal fetal position (such as breech or transverse presentation).
- Prolapse of the umbilical cord into the vagina before the fetus.
- Severe bleeding, fever, or coma.
- Labor continuing for more than 15 hours with contractions every 5 minutes.
In breech births, only the torso is supported without pulling the fetus; if the head does not emerge within two minutes, a doctor must intervene to clear the airway. In cases of severe bleeding, a blood sample is taken from the mother, and fluids and plasma are administered intravenously during transport.
FAQ
What is emergency childbirth and when should an ambulance be called?
Emergency childbirth occurs when delivery happens unexpectedly outside of a planned medical setting. It is preferable to call an ambulance in cases requiring a specialized team for safe transport, the need for medical equipment like oxygen cylinders, or in cases of severe injury and respiratory distress.
How to assist in emergency childbirth regarding umbilical cord prolapse?
The responder should place a sterile hand inside the vagina and push the fetal head toward the abdomen throughout the transport to the hospital, avoiding any attempt to push the umbilical cord back inside.
When is the umbilical cord cut in emergencies?
The umbilical cord is cut after the baby lets out their first cry, using sterile scissors and two separate clamps to prevent bleeding.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or urgent intervention by qualified paramedics.
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Illustration: AI-generated
approved by: Medica Health team