EXPECTANT MOTHER'S EMERGENCY CHILDBIRTH KIT
The public health and civil defense agencies of one State have planned a 1 1/2-pound emergency childbirth kit made up of basic supplies that can be carried in a 1-yard-square receiving blanket.
The kit consists of the following:
One-yard square of outing flannel, hemmed (receiving blanket).
Plastic (polyethylene flexible film) for outer wrapping of the kit if desired. (Do not wrap the baby in this plastic film.)
One or two diapers.
Four sanitary napkins (wrapped).
Adhesive tape identification strips for mother and baby.
Short pencil.
Soap.
Sterile package containing:
Small pair of blunt-end scissors (cheapest scissors will do), or a safety razor blade with a guard on one side.
Four pieces of white cotton tape, 1/2 inch wide and 9 inches long.[1]
Four cotton balls.
Roll of 3-inch gauze bandage.
Six 4-inch squares of gauze.[1]
Two or more safety pins.
[1] You will actually use only two tapes for tying the umbilical cord. The two extras are included as a safeguard in case one or two should be dropped or soiled. Extra 4-inch squares of gauze also are included.
Emergency childbirth kit
Instructions such as those contained in this chapter also should be considered a part of the emergency childbirth kit.
To make the kit ready to carry, lay the plastic (if used) out flat, and lay receiving blanket out flat on top of the plastic. Place the diapers, sterile package, soap, sanitary napkins, identification tapes, pencil and instructions in the center. Pull two opposite corners of the receiving blanket and plastic together and tie. Do the same with the other opposite corners, pulling each side together well so that nothing will fall out. Then tightly knot the loose ends together in the same way, leaving an opening so that the kit can be slipped over the arm for carrying the kit while leaving the hands free.
Such an emergency delivery kit will weigh about 1 1/2 pounds. The contents suggested are basic essentials only, for extreme emergency. Much more could be added, but the extra weight might mean leaving behind some other items needed for survival. Additional supplies could be stored in your home shelter to be ready in the event the birth takes place there. In the case there is no need for an emergency delivery, either in the home, shelter or in some evacuation situation, the supplies in the kit can be used in home care of the baby.