Bulb Syringe

[zapzipzee]

Can someone please provide links on why or why not to use a bulb syringe at birth?

Thanks!




ETA: I signed into Medscape and found two articles discussing routine suctioning.

The first, from 1999, suggested that when thick meconium is present some infants have better outcomes when suctioned. This type of suctioning included gastro suctioning and only those who had meconium present past the larynx had better outcomes.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/437101


The second article, from 2007, suggested that routine suctioning and both prior to birth and after birth had no better outcome and found it to not be medically indicated even when meconium is present.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/558124

[mommyminer]

I am a L&D RN and rarely suction babies. I *might* use the bulb to get a glop of mucous out of the mouth.... but maybe twice in 4.5 yrs. Your pro-suction reference is talking about a different type of suction than you can achieve with a bulb. You would need a de lee suction catheter for deep suctioning.

Why would you use a bulb? Babies are perfectly made to get secretions out on their own. I'd say have one handy in case you want to use it or you see a reason why to use it.

After the baby is born, place the baby skin to skin babies belly down. This will help the fluid drain for baby's mouth and nose. You baby will sneeze and cough to get rid of the fluid too.

If baby comes through the birth path quickly, baby will have more fluid to clear. If baby comes through slower, a good portion of the fluid will be squeezed from baby.

[mataji4]

Just use your own mouth gently if you need to. I hate to see those poor babies on you tube videos whose parents think they are supposed to suction the heck out of them- poor things! None of my babies have been suctioned.

[zapzipzee]

Thanks! DH and I got in an argument over whether or not he was going to do this. It was pretty bad. He's a paramedic and was taught that suctioning should be done no matter what because babies are respitory driven.

He's beginning to realize that some of what he was taught isn't necessary and is done just because it is protocall. This is the second time he's thought something was necessary and I've show him otherwise. He still refuses to do any research though.

[mwherbs]

current guidelines from Neonatal resuscitation is to not suction unless you are going to resuscitate.
a bulb syringe isn't bad to have around for that purpose, and there are older studies that show that they clear the airway as well as a delee would-
you could also suction with your mouth - I have done this before you need to spit out what comes out - then you can start giving breaths-