Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

9 Other Emergencies

First Aid for Emergency Childbirth Stage 1 – Mild labour

• Encourage the patient to empty their bowel and bladder as often as possible before active labour. Remind her to not push while doing so but instead allow the muscles to relax.

• Most woman will have been advised to go to the hospital once contractions begin occurring at a set interval. The beginning of active labor is usually characterized by strong contractions that last 45 to 60 seconds and occur three to four minutes apart. • Let the patient find the position of most comfort. This is usually lying on the left side or on the back with padding under the right hip to elevate the right side. • Reassure the patient and encourage her to breathe and relax through the contractions. It is important not to push before the active stage. • During delivery, any remaining content in the bladder and rectum can be expelled by the passage of the baby.

patient in labour

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