Awareness and First Aid
When time is critical, ER24 paramedics must be prepared to safely deliver a baby.
For ER24 crews, few calls are as rewarding and nerve-wracking as an imminent childbirth. Most babies are born safely in hospitals, but sometimes things happen quickly and there’s no time to get there. That’s when ER24 paramedics need to prepare to deliver a baby on the road.
Prepared for all emergencies
Thami Dyoyi, Branch Manager ER24 Highveld, has had first-hand experience of this. “We were recently called out for a pregnant 19-year-old,” he says. “On arrival, we realised she was already having contractions, and helped her to the ambulance to transport her to hospital.”
En route, Dyoyi and his partner, Prince Mokolo, a Basic Ambulance Assistant (BAA), had to stop on the side of the road because the patient was about to give birth. The team delivered a healthy baby boy, much to the mother’s relief and delight.
“Prince was working one of his first shifts at the branch, and he was the one who actually delivered the baby because I wanted to observe how he coped,” Dyoyi says. “I was the assisting practitioner and only stepped in when necessary. I’m extremely proud of him as he kept calm throughout. And we were happy to hand mom and baby over to the maternity ward at Mediclinic Highveld, where she had initially planned to give birth.”
Training for emergency deliveries
“When you’re training as a paramedic, you perform up to 20 baby deliveries at the hospitals, says Gareth Staley, ER24 Operations Manager – Assistance Services. “This gives a good overview of what to expect when a mother is in labour. For a normal birth, you need to ensure the baby starts breathing once delivered. You must then ensure the mother suffers no bleeding after delivery.”
There are several complications that can happen when delivering babies. “ER24 paramedics are equipped with medications that can stop contractions and/or excessive bleeding, when necessary,” Staley adds. “Quick assessment of the baby as it is delivered is critical to ensure the umbilical cord isn’t wrapped around the neck. Once delivered, paramedics might have to perform CPR on the newborn.”
Emergency deliveries in the field
Although an ambulance is not the ideal environment to give birth, ER24 will always offer real help, real fast in an emergency, says Victor Phooko, Branch Manager, ER24 Upington. “When a newborn cries for the first time, it’s the best feeling ever. It’s so rewarding knowing we’ve played a part in bringing a child into the world.”
Phooko adds that he delivered three babies this year, and that his branch has been successful with all emergency births. “Just the other day, we assisted in a premature birth on the side of the road in Kuruman,” he says. “Afterwards, the mother asked if she still needed to go to the hospital as the baby was healthy. We assured her it was necessary as both mom and baby needed routine checks.”
Supportive approach
Phooko says he remembers guidance he once received from Dr Robyn Holgate, Chief Medical Officer of ER24. “She said childbirth is natural, and that we just have to coach the mother through it. I still go by that advice. We don’t pull the baby out; we only support the head and encourage the mom to push when there are contractions. We watch out for danger signals like the umbilical cord around the neck, and we always maintain a supportive, positive approach.”
When it isn’t an emergency
ER24 will always help in emergencies, but calling an ambulance isn’t a substitute to get to hospital if your pregnancy is over 37 weeks and everything is normal.
When you should call for real help, real fast
- You’re less than 37 weeks pregnant
- Your waters have broken (rupture of membranes)
- You’re bleeding excessively
- Contractions are regular and a few minutes apart
- You’ve had complications in your current or previous pregnancies
- You’ve been diagnosed with preeclampsia (pregnancy-induced hypertension)
- The baby’s head has already crowned.