Natural labor induction — Birth of the baby without medical attendance

Sometimes a baby is born before the doctor arrives, or before the mother can leave home to get to the hospital. This emergency is unusual, and is not as likely with a first baby as it is with later babies.

If you are faced with this problem, try not to feel frightened. When a baby is born so quickly that you cannot get the doctor in time, it nearly always means the birth is very normal. You would probably have had time to get the doctor, or to get to the hospital if the birth was going to be difficult.

Certain things can be done which will make it easier for both you and the baby. You cannot do these yourself. So get someone to stay with you until the doctor comes.

Instructions to the helper

1. Be sure-the doctor or ambulance has been called.

2. See that the mother is comfortably lying down.

3. Wash your hands thoroughly.

4. Do not touch the area around the vaginal entrance.

5. Place a clean towel under the mother's hips for the baby to come on to. If you have time, protect the bed with newspapers.

6. Let the baby come naturally.

7. If the bag of waters has not broken, and the baby is born still inside the sac, puncture the sac with a pin or tip of scissors. Wipe the sac and fluid away from his face and head with the inside of a clean handkerchief.

8. As soon as he is born, wipe the baby's mouth, nose, and face with the inside of a clean handkerchief. Do not use cotton or paper tissues.

9. Move him carefully to a clean spot between the mother's legs, with his head elevated a little and away from any fluid or secretions. Do not stretch the cord. Let it remain a little slack.

10. If the doctor has been called and is on his way, you do not need to tie the baby's cord. Leave it attached. Leave the baby in a clean spot between the mother's legs, but cover his body with a blanket or towel to prevent chilling. Leave his head uncovered so he can breathe.

11. If you have not been able to reach the doctor, or if he cannot get there within an hour, the cord should be tied.

(a) Tie the cord tightly in two places about 2 inches apart with clean pieces of tape or strong twine. The tie nearest the baby should be about 6 inches from his navel.

(b) Cut the cord between the two ties with a clean pair of scissors.

(c) Wrap the baby in a clean flannel square or blanket, with his face uncovered, and lay him on his side in a warm place.

12. Let the afterbirth come by itself.

Do not pull on the cord to make it come out. Save the afterbirth in a basin or newspaper for the doctor to examine.

13. As soon as the afterbirth has passed out, place your hands over the mother's uterus (a firm lump just below the mother's navel).

14. Cup your hands around the mother's uterus and massage the uterus several times to keep it firm. If it does not stay firm, hold your hands around it until it does.

15. Clean the mother's buttocks and lower thighs, but do not touch the area around the vaginal entrance.

16. Make the mother comfortable and see that the baby is warm and breathing. Give the mother a hot drink, such as tea, if she wishes.

17. Do not leave the mother until the doctor comes.