When to Revive, When to Call 911

[ElizabethE]

We were having this discussion a while back and I saw something on YouTube that I thought I would share.  This guy says that you should attempt infant CPR first for a couple of minutes before calling 911, because it's more important that someone respond immediately to the baby than to use your first efforts calling paramedics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLEZ9z63FNg

I just thought it was interesting. :)

[jeminijad]

I suppose if you are completely alone, this is a valid consideration- any small problem suddenly becomes more dangerous, if there is no one to even help mom out of the tub/staunch the bleeding/reposition etc...

[ElizabethE]

Well, when UCing, one must try to be prepared for anything-- so it is definitely a valid consideration. Especially considering that some moms ARE completely alone when doing UC. But, your comment assumes the mom needs help. It assumes she may be in a tub and unable to get out, may be bleeding excessively, etc. This is not my understanding of the typical UC experience. Neither would infant needing resuscitation, but now we're putting the double whammy on this scenario. :) Neither are usual, but we can try to prepare for all potential outcomes. So-- good thing to know and something I would argue everyone should know.

[starling&diesel]

If alone, absolutely get those two minutes in of CPR.  If anyone else is around, start the help coming.  The great thing about CPR with babes is that you can do it in arms, and could perhaps be fetching the phone if absolutely alone.

[dayiscoming2006]

Thanks for the link.

[musicmama08]

At my homebirth, not UC, my son came out blue and not bleeding, and I did massively hemmorhage afterwards.  First they rubbed him and suctioned him with a small thin plastic tube that they put in his nose while someone "sucked" mucus out the other end.  I didn't bleed until after the placenta came out, which was maybe 10 minutes after his birth, so he was breathing by then.  They gave me a shot of pitocin which stopped it pretty quick.  I think our bodies were made to not have all emergencies come up at the same time.  First baby, then placenta.  These issues happened because 1. DS was 11lb 4 oz an no one knew!  and 2. The attendants think I bled because of the long labor and baby size - my uterus was just overmaxed.  So no, not typical circumstances.