Birth In A Hurricane (Or Any Natural Disaster)
Birth is something a mother does. It is not done to her.
Here are some suggestions in the event you cannot go to the hospital during a hurricane or other disaster.
- Pray. God designed this process and He can guide you both as you submit to Him. No one controls birth, we only facilitate.
- Find a secluded spot. Go to a safe, quiet, dark, private place in the building. Birth proceeds quickest when the mother is in a quiet, dark, private space and feels safe.
- Stay at peace. Fear contributes to pain and inhibits the hormones that help birth be painless and efficient.
- Find towels. Locate as much dry absorbant towels, newspaper, cardboard, etc to absorb fluids and dry the baby.
- Boil water. If you can boil water, you can sterilize a pair of scissors or knife and a shoe lace, thick string or twine.
- Birth is hard work! Mother is working hard so concentrate on comforting and reassuring the mother.
- Help mother relax. Rub shoulders, back, feet, whatever she likes. But she may not know until you try it.
- More upright positions are helpful. Standing, walking, sidelying. Any position the mother wishes to try. Changing position every 30 minutes can help.
- Understand the phases of birth.
- First the opening of the uterus must open up fully.
- Next there may be a lull in contractions.
- Pushing should wait until mother has the urge to push during the whole contraction, not just at the peak. There is no need to tell her to push.
- Pushing can take a long time. There is no rush.
- Once the head is out, it should follow with the next contraction or two.
- If not, have the mother change positions move from back to side to hands and knees, etc. These movements often help the baby reposition.
- If this still does not cause the baby's body to come, insert a finger into the vagina and find the shoulder. Hook the shoulder and direct it toward the baby's face to dislodge it.
- Welcome baby!
- Keep your baby warm, skin to skin with mother.
- Begin nursing.
- Enjoy the afterglow.
- Go to pediatrician's office if all is well. Or proceed to hospital as soon as possible if you have concerns.