NOT a Medical Emergency!

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.