Childbirth, emergency delivery

Alternative names:

Delivery - emergency; Emergency delivery - childbirth; Birth - emergency

Do not:

• DO NOT try to delay the delivery in any way. Crossing or holding the mother's legs, or pushing the baby's head back into the vagina, can seriously injure the baby.
• DO NOT allow the mother to go to the toilet. Reassure her that the sensation of needing to have a bowel movement means the baby is coming.
• DO NOT have the mother push vigorously until you see the mother's vagina bulging with the baby's head. Pushing too early, before the cervix is completely dilated, can tear the cervix.
• DO NOT pull the baby from the vagina.
• DO NOT pull on the umbilical cord.
• DO NOT cut the umbilical cord unless told to do so by a health care professional.
• DO NOT let anyone cough or sneeze on mother or baby. Keep people with colds, unwashed hands, or open cuts at a distance.
• DO NOT use chemicals or antiseptic products around mother or baby. Soap and clean water are best.

Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if:

Call for assistance if there is no time to get to the hospital. If you are going to try to reach the nearest hospital, bring emergency childbirth supplies in the car. Emergency supplies should include: a flashlight, pillows, clean sheets, clean towels, suction bulb, sterile rubber gloves, container for the placenta, clean scissors, and two clean cord ties (see below).

First aid:

1. Try to stay calm and reassure the mother.

2. Wash your hands well with soap and water. Wear sterile rubber gloves if possible.

3. Select a large, flat surface such as a bed or table as a birthing area. Provide good lighting and keep the area warm. Cover the area with a clean sheet or towels.

4. Have the mother remove any uncomfortable clothing. Support the mother's head and back with pillows. The mother should lie on her side until the baby is nearly ready to be delivered. At the time of delivery she should lie on her back with her knees bent and spread apart. If possible, place a folded towel or blanket under the mother's right hip to keep her from lying flat on her back.

5. Have the mother take deep, slow breaths, particularly during contractions.

6. When the baby's head shows, ask the mother to hold her breath and push. Place your hand against the area below the vaginal opening and apply gentle pressure during each contraction. This pressure will prevent the baby from coming too fast. A second hand placed gently against the vaginal opening over the baby's head will help control how quickly the baby's head comes out of the vaginal opening.

7. As the baby's head is delivered, support it with your hands. It will naturally turn to one side.

8. Clean the baby's mouth and nose with a dry towel (a suction bulb is preferred, if one is available).

9. If the umbilical cord is wrapped around the infant's neck during delivery, hook it with your forefinger and gently but quickly slip it over the baby's head. Do not cut it! If it will not slip over the baby's head, don't worry about it. Instead, continue trying to deliver the rest of the baby.

10. Once the head is delivered, the rest of the baby's body generally comes out quickly. Support the baby's head and shoulders as the baby emerges. Newborns are slippery, so hold the baby with a towel.

11. If the baby's shoulder seems stuck, tell the mother to push hard. Press toward the mother's back with your hands in the area just above the mother's pubic hair. You can also try lifting the mother's legs back toward her chest, keeping her knees bent and apart.

12. Once delivered, hold the baby's head down and face down, with the feet higher than the head, so that fluids can drain. After the baby starts to cry, wipe the baby's nose and mouth again with a clean cloth. The baby may be blue, but will turn pink within minutes if breathing well.

13. If the baby is not breathing, place the baby's head lower than the feet and tap the soles of the feet. Quickly stimulate the baby by gently rubbing the back. If the baby does not start breathing immediately, give two quick breaths (very gentle puffs of air into the infant's nose and mouth). Continue to stimulate the baby and dry off the skin to prevent cooling. Gently suction the baby's nose and mouth again to clear secretions, blood, and mucus.

14. If the baby is breathing or crying, dry the baby off. Wrap the baby in dry towels, covering the head (not the face) to keep him or her warm. Do not wash off the baby or wash the face. Place the baby on the mother's chest (but be sure not to pull on the umbilical cord).

15. Encourage nursing. This will stimulate the mother to have the uterine contractions she needs to expel the placenta.

16. Tie a clean shoelace or a clean, thick string around the umbilical cord no closer than 4 inches from the baby's navel. Do not use thread; it will cut through the cord. Do not cut the cord or pull on it. Tying off the cord is necessary to prevent continued circulation of the baby's blood to the placenta.

17. The mother will continue to have contractions until the placenta is expelled. Massaging the mother's abdomen will help the uterus contract and expel the placenta. Wrap the placenta in a plastic bag and be sure it goes to the hospital with the mother and baby.

18. If the mother is bleeding outside the vagina from a skin tear, apply direct pressure with a sterile gauze dressing, washcloth, or fresh sanitary napkin until bleeding stops.

19. Once the placenta has been expelled, massage the mother's abdomen to stimulate uterine contractions. This will help control uterine bleeding. Continue to firmly knead the abdomen at frequent intervals for the first 2 hours after birth. Sometimes the uterus relaxes so completely that all contractions stop; massage can help restore the contractions.

20. Clean the mother with soap and water. Keep both mother and baby warm. Hypothermia can occur rapidly in newborns. The mother may be more comfortable reclining while she nurses the baby. It is important that both be taken to a hospital as soon as possible for examination.

21. Under normal circumstances, there is no rush to cut the umbilical cord. Placing one tie around it and leaving it alone is better than cutting it with unclean instruments. The infant will not be harmed if the placenta remains attached, as long as both mother and baby receive prompt medical help.

22. If you cannot get medical help, you will have to tie and cut the cord after the baby has been delivered. The following steps are recommended:

• If you have tied the first knot around the cord no closer than 4 inches from the baby's navel, tie another firm knot about 8 inches from the navel. If you have not tied a first knot, tie a firm knot with a clean shoelace or a clean, thick string around the cord no closer than 4 inches from the baby's navel.
• Tie another firm knot around the cord about 8 inches from the baby's navel.
• Cut the cord between the knots with sterile scissors, a heated knife, or a fresh razor blade. The cord should bleed only briefly after being cut.
• Cover the cut ends of the cord with a clean cloth or sterile dressing.

Updated Date: 02/09/00

Updated By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director, Utah Health Informatics and adam.com editorial