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Last updated June 26, 1999
~ pregnancy, labor and delivery ~
Please read the Sentinel and Medical Disclaimers.
Rules for rank amateurs in the presence of a baby being delivered
Rules
for rank amateurs in the presence of a baby being delivered
(thank you to Sue's dad, a practicing obstetrician for
over 40 years, for this list!)
1) Do nothing until the baby is delivered.
2) Make sure that there's nothing covering the face of the baby after delivery preventing it from breathing.
3) Put a finger in the baby's mouth and flip out any accumulation of gooey junk.
4) The baby should be placed at a lower (or at least even) position with the mother's hips.
5) After several minutes, at a distance of at least 6" from the baby, the cord can be tied; the traditional thing to use in the absence of anything else is a shoelace.
6) Put the baby to breast at that time.
7) Putting a hand on the patient's lower abdomen, the attendant will feel a large lump which is the uterus. That should be gently massaged.
8) When there is a rush of bright red blood, then the cord - which is still attached to the placenta - may be gently to moderately pulled upon, and the placenta will come out.
9) THIS RULE SUPERSEDES ALL OTHER RULES. Get someone who knows what they're doing!