Emergency Childbirth / A Reference Guide for Students of the Medical Self-help Training Course, Lesson No. 11

We wish to acknowledge with grateful appreciation the many services provided by the American Medical Association, through the Committee on Disaster Medical Care, Council on National Security, Board of Trustees and staff, in the preparation of this handbook.
From the inception of studies to determine emergency health techniques and procedures, the Association gave valuable assistance and support. The Committee on Disaster Medical Care of the Council on National Security, AMA, reviewed the material in its various stages of production, and made significant contributions to the content of the handbook.
1. Let nature be your best helper. Childbirth is a very natural act. 2. At first signs of labor assign the best qualified person to remain with mother. 3. Be calm; reassure mother. 4. Place mother and attendant in the most protected place in the shelter. 5. Keep children and others away. 6. Have hands as clean as possible. 7. Keep hands away from birth canal. 8. See that baby breathes well. 9. Place baby face down across mother's abdomen. 10. Keep baby warm. 11. Wrap afterbirth with baby. 12. Keep baby with mother constantly. 13. Make mother as comfortable as possible. 14. Identify baby.
1. DO NOT hurry. 2. DO NOT pull on baby, let baby be born naturally. 3. DO NOT pull on cord, let the placenta (afterbirth) come naturally. 4. DO NOT cut and tie the cord until baby AND afterbirth have been delivered. 5. DO NOT give medication.
DO NOT HURRY—LET NATURE TAKE HER COURSE.
If it becomes necessary for families to take refuge in fallout shelters there will undoubtedly be a number of babies born under difficult conditions and without medical assistance.
Every expectant mother and the members of her family should do all they can to prepare for emergency births. They will need to know what to do and what to have ready. (See Expectant Mother's Emergency Kit. )
A pregnant woman should be especially careful to protect herself from radiation exposure. She should have the most protected corner of the shelter and not be allowed to risk outside exposure. She should not lift heavy objects or push heavy furniture. If food shortages exist, she should be given some preference.