Tips for Assisting the Delivery of a Baby in an Emergency

It's the fear every pregnant woman's husband has: what to do if his wife goes into labor and they can't get to the hospital. Somehow they tend to forget that babies have been being born for hundreds of years without the help of doctors. Unless there are complications, Mother Nature tends to take her own course in bringing the baby into the world. If all goes well, dad or whoever is assisting the emergency delivery will do little more than catch the baby and cut the umbilical cord.

Call the doctor and 911 and prepare to do what is necessary. The mother will be able to tell you how much time you have or you can look and see if you see a baby's head starting to show. Remain calm.
If you panic you will most likely send your wife or the mother into a panic which can cause stress on the baby. If it is obvious that you are going to have to deliver the baby, you need to start gathering supplies and washing your hands with antibacterial soap.

Gather the necessary items. If time allows and you know you can't get to the hospital and you have access to any of these items, go ahead and get them arranged and handy. Livestrong suggests having towels, blankets and pads for the mother and for the newborn to be swaddled in. They will protect both the mother and the baby from chills. The towels will be used to clean up the fluids that come out during childbirth, both blood and water fluids.

Bulb suction for removing mucus from the baby's nose and a container to put the placenta in to take to the hospital will also be needed. All of these articles may not be available if the birth occurs in a taxi or other place where there aren't any supplies. (See Supporting Links for Link)

Talk to the mother calmly. Remind her to breathe when she has contractions and to push gently during the contractions. Labor Basics says to place your hands (that have been thoroughly cleaned) on the baby's head. You are not going to pull the baby out; you are going to help the baby as the mother pushes him or her out. (See Supporting Links for Link)

Suction the baby's nose with the suction bulb if you have one; if not gently stroke the nose downward to help mucus come out. Next place the baby on the mother's skin to keep it warm until help arrives. Don't cut the cord unless 911 or a doctor tells you to, this is the baby's oxygen and can cause blood loss from the baby and mother.

Store the placenta in a container and take it with the mother and baby to the nearest hospital to have the cord cut and to have both baby and mother checked out.