Emergency Childbirth and Minor Wounds

It is very unlikely that you will have to deliver a child in an unplanned-for situation. Even the second stage of labor can allow enough time for an ambulance or midwife to arrive. However, if you are called upon help with an emergency birth, take comfort from the fact that there is little that you can do to affect the birth process. Your key role is to support the mother, to ensure that medical help has been called, and to care for the mother and baby after the birth.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

1. Ensure that the midwife or doctor has been called. If labor is in the early stages, ask the mother where she wants to be and make arrangements for transport.
2. If at any time there is severe bleeding or signs and symptoms of shock, call 911.
3. Support the mother in her most comfortable position. This will usually be standing or squatting-- gravity helps the delivery process. Ask her what she would like you to do to help with the pain. Potential options include a warm bath, rubbing the small of her back, and offering frequent sips of water. Encourage her to breathe out as breath-holding makes pain worse by increasing muscle tension. Most pregnant women will have a pregnancy record. Help her to find this because it contains useful information for both you and the medical staff.
4. If labor has progressed to the second stage and birth is imminent, ensure that:

• The woman has removed the clothes from her lower body.
• The ambulance is on the way-- the ambulance control or midwife may give you instructions over the phone.
• You and the environment are as clean as they can be.
• You have a warm covering for the baby and mother.

     5. Help the mother into a position she finds comfortable.

     6. Support the mother while she pushes out the baby as it descends.

     7. Support the head and shoulders as the baby appears-- this will happen naturally and quickly. Do not pull the baby. If the cord is wrapped around the neck, check that it is loose and gently pull it over the head.

     8. Gently lift the baby and place on the mother's stomach. There is no need to cut the cord. If the baby does not show any signs of movement, check its airway and breathing and be prepared to resuscitate if necessary.

     9. Keep mother and baby warm while waiting for the ambulance. The placenta and cord will follow shortly-- keep this for the medical staff to check. Gently massaging below the navel may help stop bleeding.

IF THE BABY IS BREECH (NOT HEAD FIRST)
The concern with a breech birth is that the largest part of the body (the head) may not be easily delivered. If the baby is breech a foot, knee, or buttock may come out first. If this happens:

1. Ensure that the medical help has been called.
2. Allow the birth to continue-- do not try to stop the baby coming out.
3. Support the baby's body as it is delivered.
4. If the head is not delivered within 3 minutes of the shoulders, gently raise the baby's legs to the ceiling until you can see the face (do not pull the baby from the mother). Wipe the face clear and encourage the mother to keep pushing until the head is delivered.

MINOR WOUNDS

Most minor wounds can be treated in the home without the need for further medical attention. First aid treatment can promote recovery and prevent infection. However, further medical advise should be sought if: there is a foreign body embedded in the wound; the wound shows signs of infection; the wound has the potential for tetanus and the injured person's immunization is not up-to-date; the wound is from a human or animal bite.

TREATING MINOR WOUNDS. If possible, wash your hands before treating the wound. Check that there is nothing in the wound. If the wound is dirty, clean it under running water. Pat dry with clean, non-fluffy material. Clean the wound from the center out with gauze swabs or antiseptic wipes using a fresh piece for each wipe. Cover the wound with an adhesive dressing to apply pressure and protect from infection. Elevate the wound if necessary to help control bleeding.

1. Check there is nothing embedded in the wound and clean and dry it.
2. Clean the wound with antiseptic wipes or swabs, then cover it with a dressing for protection and to apply pressure.
3. Raise the wound if necessary to reduce blood flow to the affected area.

IF THERE IS GRAVEL OR GRIT IN THE WOUND

If there is loose debris on the wound, this can be easily washed away with water or taken off by gently dabbing with clean gauze. If there are small bits of debris embedded into the wound these should be treated as foreign bodies. Gently cover with a clean dressing and bandage the dressing into place, taking care not to press on the embedded debris. Raise the injure part if appropriate and seek medical advice.

BRUISING. A bruising is the sign of internal bleeding. Usually caused by direct impact, bruises are sometimes painful but generally heal swiftly with little intervention needed.

     A bruise goes through several changes n appearance as it heals and may not appear for some time, even days, after the accident. Initially, the injured part may be red from the impact; over time this may become blue as blood seeps into the injured tissue; as it heals it becomes brown and then fades to yellow.

     Severe bruising can also be the sign of serious internal bleeding. If bruising is extensive and is accompanied by any of the following signs and symptoms, assume that serious internal bleeding is present. Treat the injured person for shock and seek medical help.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Victim is known to have had an accident (not necessarily in the immediate past)
• Signs and symptoms of shock
• Bruising
• Boarding-- this most commonly occurs where there is bleeding into the stomach area; the quantity of blood combined with the tissues swelling results in a rigidity to the tissues
• Swelling
• Bleeding from body orifices

Most bruises, however, are not serious. First aid can reduce pain and promote recovery from an uncomfortable bruise.

TREATMENT OF MINOR BRUISING

• Check for underlying injuries such as broken bones or sprains
• Apply a cold compress to the site of the bruise to reduce swelling
• Raise and support the injured part as appropriate.

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Written by Unknown

Frederick Luneta is a 24-year old guy and he is a Computer Engineering student and a young part time blogger. Currently lives in the Philippines. He knows a lot about computer.