The Emergency Delivery

Call 911 First

If birth is happening and you cannot get to a hospital, call 911 immediately. The operator can talk you through the steps. Then follow these rules.

Basic Rules for an Emergency Delivery

• Do not try to stop the birth, do not cross your partner's legs or try to hold the baby in
• Do NOT pull on the baby, let the body emerge naturally
• Do NOT cut the cord unless the cord is wrapped tightly around the neck and you cannot free it, and even then, wait for paramedic guidance
• Keep the baby at the level of the perineum, do not lift the baby above it until the cord is cut
• Dry the baby vigorously, stimulate crying, and keep the baby warm, place skin-to-skin on your partner's chest
• Keep the baby's head slightly lower than the body to drain fluids, then clear the mouth and nose with a bulb syringe or gentle finger sweep

After the Baby Is Born

The placenta will deliver on its own. Do not pull the cord. Keep both birthing parent and baby warm. Place the baby to the breast if possible, this helps the uterus contract. Wait for paramedics to arrive.