As a mother of four children and extremely short labours i had to write this advice to help others that may be close to their due date and a little scared they may have their baby quite quick, so here is a little guideline to help you out incase of
emergency.
1.try to remain as calm as you possibly can, a mother's body will know just what to do when the time comes.
2.call 000 for an ambulance to get there as soon as they can just in case of an unexpected emergency where a medical team may be needed.
3.get the mother to pant so she has less chance of bearing down until the ambulance arrives.
4.during this time try and keep the mother calm and comfort and reassure her that she will be ok.
5.if there is time try and wash your hands and the vaginal area to keep all bacteria away from the newborn baby.
6.if there is no time to get to a bad, place some clean towels down under the mother's bottom to provide some height to deliver the baby's shoulders.
7.if there is time to get her to a bed place the mother on the bed so that her bum is slightly on the edge of the bed and ask her to place her hands under her thighs to keep the elevated. place a pillow or cushion under her shoulders and head to help her to sit in a semi sitting possition which will help with delivery, if help hasn't arrived at this time and the head isnt visible then keeping the mother flat on her back will help to slow delivery until help gets there.
8.try your best to keep the area that the baby will be delieverd on as clean as you can, you can use towels, plastic or even a sheet to help with this,if there is time you can get a pan or a big plastic container to help with catching the blood and the amniotic fluid.
9.as the top of the baby's head appears advise the mother to pant or blow (not push), and apply very gently some pressure to assure the baby's head doesnt just pop out to quickly, let the head emerge gradually, never try to pull the baby's head out.
10.when the head has been delivered, gently stroke the side of the nose downward, the neck and under the chin upward to get rid of any mucus that may be blocking the airways.
11.next take the baby's head and gently in two hands press it very slightly downwards, don't pull the baby's head, and at the same time ask the mother to push, this will help expel the baby's shoulders, and once they have been delivered the rest of the baby's body should deliver straight after.
12.quickly wrap the baby in something that is clean, like blankets, towels or anything else that is available, then place the baby on the mother's stomach.
13.don't try and pull the placenta out if help arrives before it is delivered then they will assist you but if not then once it has been delivered place it in a old container od some sort and elevate it above the baby if possible. but don't try and cut the cord.
14.keep both mother and baby warm until help arrives as baby's tend to lose alot of heat once they are born, you must keep them warm.
well i hope this is never actually needed and you make it to hospital in time but if not i hope it helps you to deliver a happy, healthy baby.
all the best
(July 26th) (
Hey, I know my body after all!
