emergency birth - dh wants to know about this

[maisym]

My last birth was very fast and we only got to hospital as we set off before I knew I was in labour! From leaving the house to birth was 30 mins - I knew I was in labour for 10 mins!!!

Problem is this time dh is concerned about birth at home. What should he do? Any good websites he could read up on. I've said just call an ambulance. He's worried about the cord being around the neck and what to do. Plus I hemorrage afterwards.

my first was quick, waters, first contraction 30 mins later, birth 2 hrs after that.
because of that, and because it had been straight forward etc, i planned a home birth.
my second was very quick, waters, first contraction 10 mins later, birth 15 mins after that.
mw said after that she should have given me some 'what to do in an emergency advice'.
she did say that if it is quick it is very unlikely that there will be any problems, and specifically mentioned the cord - if its quick, even if the cord is round the neck, you can just unwind it once it is out.

thanks csquirrels.

I'll ask at my next check-up - hadn't thought to mention this before!!

my mw said if i have another she will have to camp out at my house! i rather like that fact that i delivered ds2 on our bedroom floor on my own.

If it happens call an ambulance and a midwife and make sure you dry off the baby and then wrap it up in a dry towel, put it to the breast to encourage the uterus to contract and help prevent too much bleeding. Don't fiddle with the cord leave that to the midwife when she arrives. Chances are something will happen to warn you in advance and you'll make it with time to spare, after all you are not going to hang around at home are you?

dh called 999 as soon as he was born, and they gave the same advice as maxbear has just given.

Dp had to deliver dd2 well i say he delivered her but it was me doing all the hard work.
The emergency services talked him through it.

basically if the baby is being born and the midwife hasnt arrived, he should feel round the head once its out to check the cord isnt wrapped round, if it is, he should loop over the head to release it.
Once the baby is born he should wrap the baby in a clean towl so you can cuddle him/her to keep baby warm, he should not touch the cord or try to cut it, it should remain attatched to the placenta even if the placenta is delivered(which is unlikely as the midwife would probably be there by then.

max bear - hopefully the timing will be good - but just in case it's in the middle of the night (or supermarket!!). Think I'll be staying close to home from 2 weeks before the due date. Have other kids & my friend who I could count on will be moving away. Hospital is 20 mins if no traffic - plus have school times to organise help for. No family near by either.

thanks for the tips - wonder if we called the hopsital midwives they could talk to dh?

dh is really concenred about the cord so thanks for the help on this.

At our ante-natal classes I do remember that the most important thing if you have to deliver yourself is to keep the baby warm. (And call an ambulance!)

Read this weeks grazia magazine - theres this girl in there whose choose to deliver at home with no help. Crazy

gosh - I'm all for home birth but think that help & support are important.

good advice there

get baby nuzzled between your breasts , if he starts to suckle that;s great as will help deliver the placenta..baby needs to be warm and dry...

re haemorrhage...obviously you need to call 999 anyway if baby being born unexpectedly, i think firm massage on the belly, around the belly button area, can help encourage the uterus to contract and stop bleeding....

hopefully you might get more warning !

DH was worried in case this happened last time (It didn't) so I found him this link which helped him feel prepared just in case....

Try to make sure your bladder is emptied during labour. It'd harder for uterus to contract during 3rd stage when bladder is full and this contributes to PPH. So if you can go to toilet again after birth, this will help to minimise risk of PPH.

i had all mine quickly and early, 2 of htem at home from the speed and one 3mins after getting to hospital

when it came to number 4 they brought me into hospital and induced me as they were so worried i would deliver unattended

it took 22mins, the midwife didnt even have her gloves on ready lol

I would suggest that if the cord is round the neck the best thing to do is to 'catch' the baby and unwrap it once it is out. If you try to loop it over the head it could snap and the baby would lose some blood. Also it is best not to press on the abdomen because it could cause incoordinate contractions which might make haemorrhage more likely especially if done before the placenta is out. As has been said ensure an empty bladder and put baby to breast. Most important thing to do keep the baby warm and dry.

thanks for all the tips - dh will feel better prepared I hope.