Show Managing Emergency Childbirth As the expectant mother and father set out on that thrilling journey to the hospital it seldom seldom seldom sel sel- dom occurs to them that they might not make it in time What would you do if you found yourself yourself yourself your your- self having to play midwife to the birth of your baby HERE ARE some tips from the American Medical Association Association Association tion should that unlikely event occur as it does to times a year The first and most vital suggestion suggestion suggestion sug sug- is that you keep calm reassure the mother and help helph h her r lie Ue down with her head level with her body IF YOU CAN SEE the baby emerging surely emerging surely one of na natures nature's natures nature's natures nature's na- na tures ture's most e extraordinary din a r y sights sights dont don't dont pull him to speed his arrival Let him emerge at natures nature's own pace And remember that old admonition admonition admonition Dont drop the baby He lie will be covered with fluids provided by nature to ease his passage down the birth canal The fluid will make him slip slip- pery HOLD THE infant in any clean piece of cloth either cloth either your own or shirt rt or a nightie or slip out of that s sui suitcase u i t tea c a s e the expectant mother packed so carefully so soshe soshe soshe she would look pretty in the hospi hospital tal Most babies according to the theAMA theAMA theAMA AMA dont don't really need to be spanked to make them cry and breathe Hold the baby firmly but gently head down to encourage encourage age drainage of fluids from the throat For those babies who dont don't cry spontaneously however however however how how- I ever a smart slap on the rump or the soles of the feet will usually do it IF BREATHING or crying are delayed a minute or two place your mouth against the infants infant's and puff air gently into him Rub his back and stroke his ills abdomen gently to encourage encourage encourage age breathing Dont Don't play obstetrician The I Iless iless less you do observes the AMA I Ithe ithe the better for both mother and I baby Unless theres there's going to tobe tobe tobe be a considerable delay in I reaching the hospital ten tenI I minutes or more dont don't do I anything about the umbilical cord IF THERE WILL BE a long delay wait until the cord stops pulsating about three minutes after birth Then tie the cord I tightly with a piece of string or a this shoelace this Is an emergency emergency emer emer- gency leaving as much cord between the string and the baby as possible Then make a second tie an aninch inch or two away from the first one Cut the cord between the two ties with as sharp and clean an instrument as you have COVER THE mother Wrap Wraps s the infant and place it where it will be safe Then head for the I hospital And congratulations I |