Integrated Maternal and Newborn Care Basic Skills Course ...
Integrated Maternal and Newborn Care Basic Skills Course ...
Integrated Maternal and Newborn Care Basic Skills Course ...
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Drying the Baby <strong>and</strong> Keeping the Baby Warm (Initial Steps for All Babies)<br />
• In general, the first step immediately after birth is to dry the baby well. Drying the baby well<br />
also serves to provide safe stimulation to a baby who is not breathing. While drying, verify<br />
if the baby is breathing/crying.<br />
• If the baby is breathing well, follow the steps noted above in the section of care of the baby<br />
immediately after birth.<br />
• If the baby is not breathing, discard the wet cloth. Wrap the baby’s body <strong>and</strong> head with a<br />
fresh dry cloth, keeping the baby on the mother’s abdomen, <strong>and</strong> verify again if he/she is<br />
breathing. Where it is clean <strong>and</strong> feasible, placing the baby who is not breathing on the<br />
table between the mother’s legs will allow a better flow of blood to the baby.<br />
• If the baby is still not breathing, clamp <strong>and</strong> cut the cord. If you have an assistant who can<br />
deal with/observe the mother <strong>and</strong> a separate place for special care, take the baby there<br />
<strong>and</strong> place it under a warmer (if available) for commencing additional steps for<br />
resuscitation.<br />
Position of the Baby<br />
Initially during the steps noted above, the baby can be turned on one side with the head slightly<br />
extended. However, if the baby is still not breathing, it is convenient to have the baby on its back<br />
on a warm, firm surface with the head towards you. The head should be slightly extended,<br />
which you can do either by extending the head slightly with your h<strong>and</strong> or by placing a roll of<br />
linen under the shoulders to raise them by 2-3 cm (see Figure 8.5).<br />
Positioning during Resuscitation<br />
Correct position<br />
(Neck slightly extended)<br />
<strong>Newborn</strong> with elevated shoulders 2 to 3 cm. with a small linen roll,<br />
placed below, to slightly extend the neck.<br />
The neck may be extended by positioning with the h<strong>and</strong><br />
without the linen roll<br />
Incorrect positions<br />
Neck hyperextended<br />
Neck flexed<br />
Figure 8.5. Correct positioning.<br />
100<br />
<strong>Integrated</strong> maternal <strong>and</strong> newborn care<br />
<strong>Basic</strong> skills course