EMERGENCY CHILDBIRTH
A REFERENCE GUIDE FOR STUDENTS OF
THE MEDICAL SELF-HELP TRAINING COURSE
LESSON NO. 11
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
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.
A joint publication of the
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of Civil Defense
and the
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
Public Health Service
Health Services and Mental Health Administration
Division of Emergency Health Services
5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20852
Reprinted December 1970
EMERGENCY CHILDBIRTH
What To Do
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.