Emergency Childbirth Basics (Adults 18+, DRAFT)
⚠️ Get trained help. This page is for emergencies when no midwife, nurse or doctor can arrive in time. It is not training. Call or send for skilled help at the first signs of labour, and keep trying while you help. If you can, take a course (Red Cross / Red Crescent, local midwifery services).
Get help immediately (danger signs)
In pregnancy or labour: - heavy bleeding from the vagina - a fit or convulsions - severe headache with blurred vision - fever, or very bad belly pain - the waters broke more than ~12–18 hours ago and labour hasn't started - labour longer than about 12 hours - the baby is coming bottom, foot or arm first, or the cord comes out first
After birth (mother): - heavy bleeding (soaking a pad or cloth in under 5 minutes), or the placenta not out within 30–60 minutes - fits - fever - trouble breathing
After birth (baby): - not breathing, or breathing very fast or with chest in-drawing - not feeding - cold or hot to the touch - yellow palms or soles - fits - floppy or not moving
If birth is happening now (in our own words)
- Stay calm and wash your hands well with soap and clean water. Lay down clean cloths, plus a clean, dry towel or cloth for the baby.
- Let the mother choose a comfortable position. Encourage her to breathe and push with the urges. Don't pull on the baby's head.
- As the head comes, support it gently. If the cord is around the neck and loose, ease it over the head.
- The body usually follows with the next push. Hold the baby securely; babies are slippery.
- Dry the baby straight away and put them skin-to-skin on the mother's chest, covered, with the head covered too. Drying usually starts breathing. If the baby isn't breathing, rub the back, clear the mouth and nose gently, and get skilled help urgently (newborn resuscitation needs training).
- The cord: there's no rush. Wait at least 1–3 minutes, or until it stops pulsing. If help is coming, you can leave the cord and placenta attached. If you must cut, tie it tightly in two places with clean string and cut between the ties with a new or boiled blade.
- The placenta usually comes within 30 minutes. Don't pull the cord. Help breastfeeding begin, which helps the womb tighten. Afterwards, rub the lower belly firmly to help the womb tighten and reduce bleeding.
- Keep mother and baby warm, give the mother fluids, start breastfeeding within the first hour, and get both checked by a health worker as soon as possible.
Sources (our own words; no text copied)
- WHO, Pregnancy, Childbirth, Postpartum and Newborn Care: A guide for essential practice, 3rd ed. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549356
- WHO, Managing Complications in Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2nd ed. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241565493
- Hesperian, A Book for Midwives. https://en.hesperian.org/hhg/A_Book_for_Midwives
- Hesperian, Where There Is No Doctor (new edition). https://en.hesperian.org/hhg/New_Where_There_Is_No_Doctor
Links checked Oct 21, 2026: all 200. A medical reviewer (midwife or obstetrician) should check this page before publishing.