CHAP. XIV.
Of Præternatural BIRTHS, by the Hand, Elbow, Shoulder, Knees, or Buttocks presenting first.
THE CHILD also sometimes offers itself preternaturally to the Orifice, with its Hand, Elbow, Shoulder, Knees, or Buttocks first: In which Condition, the Hand always gives an easier BIRTH than the Elbow, the Elbow than the Shoulder, the Shoulder than the Knees, and the Knees than the Buttocks: For the Hand being commonly placed near the Head, it is no great Wonder, if it presents itself before, or along with it; as sometimes (after Flooding) the Hand may slide together with the Head obliquely to either Side, and thereby either Elbow or Shoulder unfortunately fall into the Passage.
THIS is one great Reason, why I have before inculcated, that the MIDWIFE ought to be diligent and accurate in Touching her Woman, even before the Membrane breaks, that she may thereby discover and prevent this Case: Which is easily perform’d, either by repelling the Hands, or by pinching the INFANT sensibly by the Fingers, and then it soon retracts them; for thus, in short, by moving my own Hand seasonably, the Head (of its own accord) slips of course down into the Passage. But and if it happens otherways, ’tis no difficult Matter to turn and bring it down, by directing my Fingers beyond the Face to the CHILD’s Forehead; which however must be done immediately after Flooding: Whereas, if This be neglected until the dry Womb is contracted, Then, and in that Condition, the FEET may be looked for, which (in such a Posture) are soon found, with the KNEES next the Belly; and the INFANT may be readily drawn out by them. But
WHEN it so happens, that the CHILD comes with its KNEES foremost, it commonly has its LEGS folded towards the BUTTOCKS; by which means many a MIDWIFE has been deceiv’d, especially when she feels but one KNEE, mistaking it for the HEAD, because of its Hardness and Roundness.
IN this preternatural Condition, the INFANT must be stopped and hindered from advancing farther; wherefore having placed the Woman aright, I would gently repel the KNEES, that I may the more commodiously unfold the complicated LEGS, one after another; which I commonly do by directing one or more Fingers under the Ham, gradually along behind the LEG, until I come to the Foot; drawing always a little obliquely, that I may come the easier to its Extremity: And thus, in short, having disengaged the One, I accordingly manage the Other after the same manner; and by bringing both FEET at last together, I finish my Work, as if the Child had come FEET foremost, of which in course.
MOREOVER again it also happens sometimes, that the CHILD falls with its BUTTOCKS forwards; in which preternatural Condition, the Midwife must industriously prevent it from coming too low in the Passage, before it be duly corrected or rectify’d; since the Infant cannot possibly come, after this manner, into the World; unless it be very small, and the PASSAGE, on the other hand, very large. Wherefore in this Case, after the Woman is decently laid upon her Back, with her Head declining, I would advise to thrust back the BUTTOCKS as well as possible; then passing up my Hand along the THIGHS to the Legs, I would take hold of the FEET, and bring them gently, and one by one, forth gradually; which being done, I would attract them by the HEELS towards the Side as far as the Length of the BUTTOCKS; and then at last taking good Hold under the HIPS, I would easily and softly with the greatest Deliberation, draw out the whole Body successively.
CHAP. XV.
Of Preternatural BIRTHS, by the Breast, Belly, or Back, presenting first; and the INFANT’s lying transverse.
SOMETIMES likewise the CHILD offers its Breast or Belly first, along with the Navel-string; which Preternatural Figure is most dangerous for the BIRTH, because of the Body’s bending backwards.