Embedded Files
(or in the front yard or in the car...)
The information and directions included here are meant to aid anyone who needs help delivering a medically unattended home birth. It serves only as a general guide until help arrives. Again, this information is not a “do it yourself” delivery guide. Its purpose is to give simple, clear instructions to follow while waiting for medical assistance. It only covers the most general course of events and cannot explain specific techniques for every type of delivery.
Read this section thoroughly and ask questions about it during your prenatal care. A fast labor can make you ready to deliver even before you get out of your house.
In the event that your baby is coming fast at home:
1. Get help if possible
2. Call 911 or have someone call 911 to get help on the way. They will typically talk your support person through delivery of the baby if birth is imminent. Make sure your doors are unlocked so the paramedics can get inside to you.
3. Page the midwife on call
Care of a Newborn Delivered Without Medical Assistance
• Put the baby on the birther’s naked abdomen. Do not cut the cord. Do not let the cord pull on the baby’s navel.
• Dry the baby with blankets and cover him/her, especially dry and cover the head to prevent heat loss. The birthing person should try to nurse the baby.
Infant Resuscitation
Infant Resuscitation
If the baby has been delivered and does not start breathing in the first few seconds:
• Have someone call 911 – DO NOT CUT THE CORD.
• Dry the baby with towels or blankets and keep warm. Skin to skin on birther’s abdomen.
• Stimulate baby to cry by rubbing soles of feet and up and down the spine vigorously.
• Feel for heartbeat on chest by placing your hand across left side of baby’s chest.
If the heart is beating but baby is not breathing:
• Begin mouth to mouth resuscitation
• Tip the baby’s head slightly so face is pointing directly up at ceiling.
• Make a tight seal over baby’s nose and mouth with your mouth.
• Very gently blow a mouthful of your air into the baby’s mouth and nose (just a puff will do). The baby’s chest will expand.
• Remove your mouth and the baby will exhale. Blow at a rate of 20-25 breaths per minute or one breath every three seconds. If the heart is not beating:
• Place your index and middle finger on baby’s breast bone between nipples.
• Depress breastbone 1 inch at a rate of 5 chest compressions to 1 puff of air.
DO NOT STOP EFFORTS UNTIL PROFESSIONAL HELP ARRIVES OR THE BABY IS BREATHING ON ITS OWN.
We also recommend that all parents-to-be take an infant CPR class.
Postpartum Hemorrhage
Postpartum Hemorrhage
Postpartum Hemorrhage is very heavy bleeding after delivery. If a steady stream of blood (or continuous gush) starts from the vagina after the baby is born, call 911.
• Have the birther attempt to nurse the baby; nipple stimulation helps cause contractions which will help slow bleeding.
• Deliver the placenta. Have the birthing person bear down hard, and put gentle traction on the cord. Put the placenta up next to the baby. Watch the cord does not pull on the baby’s navel.
• Massage the uterus firmly. Push down just below the mother’s navel and rub firmly in a circular motion. This causes blood to gush out of the vagina. It helps the uterus to contract. Keep it up until help arrives. This is painful for the woman, but absolutely necessary to prevent severe hemorrhage.
• The mother needs medication to control the hemorrhage effectively as most babies won’t nurse under stressful situations.
Page updated
Report abuse