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Don't overreact...
First
you give the baby a few secs. and such. You turn them on their belly, and make sure all the mucus is out. Rub their back.
If need be then you use a suction bulb.
Tina Mom to Quentin 3/4/97, Ashton 6/23/99, Owen 4/11/01 first UC Due again
May
When a baby is born into a peaceful environment, it will often have a brief adjustment period (usually
only a few seconds) before beginning to breathe. Because it is still receiving oxygen from the cord, there is no need to hurry
the baby into breathing, by rough rubbing or slapping it. It is a wondrous thing to see a baby quietly looking around, then
slowly taking her first breath when she is ready.
If the baby seems to be very floppy and unresponsive, and is not
beginning to take breaths within a minute or so, gently stimulating the baby by rubbing (with your bare hands), talking to
the baby (reassure her that it is all right to breath, that she is welcome, that the world is a good place to be part of),
doing some mouth to mouth suction (a much gentler way to remove mucus from the baby's mouth than a bulb syringe), blowing
on the baby's face, lifting the baby up slightly then down (this might stimulate the baby to throw her arms out, which will
help her to take in a deep breath), or putting the baby into a lukewarm bath will often help.
If the baby seems to
really be making no effort to breathe, make sure that there is nothing blocking the airway (perhaps mucus), remove it with
a gentle finger swipe or mouth to mouth suction, then blow gentle puffs of air into the baby's mouth and nose (make a seal
over the baby's mouth and nose with your own mouth-- NEVER blow hard into the baby's mouth/nose, as this can damage the lungs).
But don't worry, most babies begin breathing on their own with no help from us...
Beatrice-- mama to Max (6, CNM hospital
birth), William (4, LM home waterbirth), Dora (2, family UC), Wee One (in belly, arriving late-Winter, UC)
*Bee's
Official Disclaimer: All of my answers express my own personal opinion, and as I am not a trained birth professional, but
better, an experienced mother, none of it ought to be construed as medical advice.*
Still not worried...
As long as the cord's still attached and pulsating, the baby's getting
oxygen from the cord. Both of my girls started breathing within a minute of birth, long before the cord stopped pulsating.
I have no reason to expect anything different this time.
Ruth
As long as the baby was attached to the placenta, I would be willing to wait it out 10 minutes or
so, while trying gentle rubbing on the baby & talking to him/her, getting babies head lower than it's hips (to drain the
mucus) temperature changes (warm or cool water), etc.. I may use my fingers to slide down the sides of baby's nose, to help
expel the mucus, and possibly mouth to mouth suction (if I felt it was necessary). I may resort to the bulb syringe if the
mouth to mouth suction failed, then on to infant CPR if all else failed and, worse case scenario, either call 911 or rush
the baby to the hospital that is literally 30 seconds away from us. (I'm really not expecting the "worse case scenario", though.)
If the baby was not attached to the placenta (because we had to cut the cord to get the baby out, etc), I would be
quicker about my actions, and would probably resort to the bulb syringe and infant CPR more easily than I would otherwise,
if I felt either was necessary. My DH would be prepared to do these things if I was "too out of it", etc..
~Carrie
Again, this is a fairly normal thing...
Many babies don't breath immediately. In my opinion
this is more of a problem in the hospital because they cut the cord so fast. As long as the cord is still pulsing they are
getting oxygen from mom. Charlie pinked right up when we rubbed him and talked to him, immediately after he was born. Some
babies may be a little faster or slower at this.
Kiley
I think it's a wise choice to know and learn infant recessutation techniques on a yearly basis, not only
could it be useful after a birth should baby not respond.. but in infancy and childhood as well. Its knowledge I think every
parent should have, Beyond that, if baby doesn't respond or breath right away, I've read that an especially warm or cold bath
can get the baby to breathe. Talking to the baby while rubbing/massaging babies arms, legs, feet, and chest can also be helpful.
If it seems that mucous may be hindering the baby's breathing.. you can suction the babies mouth with either mouth-to-mouth
or a bulb syringe, or hold the baby face down feet slightly above head so that fluids/mucous can drain. Most of all, time..
give baby a few moments to adjust and figure it out.
karly
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