The Matron's Manual of Midwifery, and the Diseases of Women During Pregnancy and in Childbed / Being a Familiar and Practical Treatise, More Especially Intended for the Instruction of Females Themselves, but Adapted Also for Popular Use among Students and Practitioners of Medicine

by Frederick Hollick

PLATE XLIX.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Limbs cut off by the Cord.

Occasionally the cord can be slipped over the head, or limbs, when wound round them, and the strain upon it be thus removed. If this cannot be done however, and the danger increases, relief may be obtained by cutting the cord, particularly if it be absolutely short. But this must not be done till everything indicates that the labor will probably soon terminate; and the end connected with the child must be carefully held, or tied.

DESCENT OF OTHER PARTS WITH THE HEAD.

One Arm.—The descent of one arm along with the head may cause some delay and difficulty, but Nature nearly always overcomes the impediment. It is seldom that the arm can be reduced, and therefore but little can be done at first; if the delivery be evidently arrested by it the accoucheur must at last assist in the most feasible manner. Sometimes even it is necessary for him to apply the forceps.

The Two Arms.—Even this difficulty is often overcome spontaneously, though much more rarely than the former one. As soon as it is detected, the accoucheur must endeavor to return one or both of the limbs, if the labor has not proceeded too far; and if he cannot succeed the delivery must be accomplished as soon as possible, either by turning or with the forceps, unless there be reasonable ground for delay.

The Feet.—Either one or both of the feet may also descend with the head, at first, though they usually recede and allow the head to be born alone. When they are so impacted as to prevent the delivery being completed, the accoucheur must interfere. In most cases he will find it quite easy to push the feet above the head, and allow that to descend alone; but if this is not possible he must introduce one hand, grasp the feet with it, and pull them down, while the other pushes the head up. This will turn the child, and if it be in no immediate danger, and the mother is not suffering, the rest may be left to nature; but if the contrary is the case, the delivery must be finished as speedily as possible. When the head is very low down it may be necessary to use the forceps, but great care must be observed not to grasp the feet along with the head when using them.