Resuscitation - Newborn Life Support

I found this Awesome information in regards to the resuscitation of a newborn and newborn life support. The thought of having to do this to my own baby completely freaks me out, but knowing the information helps me feel more confident. I have done CPR on adults in the hospital before but to a newborn it is much different. It made me fell a little more comfortable when it was stating that most babies at term will not need this. It also reassured me by basically saying that in most cases a few puffs of air to open the lungs is all that you need.

Here is the link.
(I had to save it to Google Docs, so that I could post it, since it is in Pdf. format)

Resuscitation, Newborn Life Support Document

Resuscitation and Premature Cord Cutting

Here was a great blog entry that I found on a midwifes website. She reinforces the need to delay cord clamping and gives some helpful suggestions as what to do if the baby first has trouble breathing.

One good thing that I learned is that some babies make a slower transition to breath. She states,
"Their colour change may be the only obvious indication that they are making the transition. The cord pulses at the same rate as the baby’s heart, so feeling (or watching) it will reassure you that all is well."

I think I am going to be more prone to freaking out, so this was helpful for me to read.

If there is a problem she suggest milking the cord firmly toward the baby... to initiate breathing. I definitely would not have thought to do that on my own.

Her other suggestions include :

Suggestions

• Try and ensure that the baby does not arrive compromised by minimising unnecessary interventions.
• Do not clamp or cut the cord.
• Give the baby time to transition – if the cord is pulsing the placenta is providing oxygen… relax and reassure the mother if she needs reassurance.
• Do not clamp or cut the cord.
• If the baby requires assistance, start small – gentle stimulation, talking, blowing in his face (all can be done by a parent).
• Do not clamp or cut the cord.
• Milk the cord firmly towards the baby. This shunt of blood into baby is often enough to initiate breathing.
• Do not clamp or cut the cord.
• If further measures are needed, take the resuscitation equipment to the baby and resuscitate him in his mother’s arms.
• Did I mention – Do not clamp or cut the cord.

Note: Routine suctioning of the baby is totally unnecessary, invasive and could potentially create problems by stimulating a vagal response (a drop in the heart rate). "

The Website: Midwife Thinking Blog