You have been called to attend a birth and are the only healthcare provider responsible for the management of the newborn in the room. when should you first call for additional ?

It is always necessary to ask for help when the situation gets out of hand, especially in the case that before birth, the person in charge has identified the presence of a potential risk factor that increases the likelihood that the newborn will need artificial resuscitation.

The first call for additional help should be done before birth. If there is any potential risk factor of neonatal resuscitation, then help is needed.

EXPLANATION

First additional help is needed when the healthcare identifies factor risks of neonatal resuscitation. Neonatal resuscitation is intervention after the baby is born. This additional help is to support the heartbeat and its breathing.

Inside the womb, the baby got oxygen from the placenta. Placenta also supplies nutrition to the blood and remove carbon dioxide. After the baby is born, that function is replaced by the lungs. Baby’s lungs will have to remove the carbon dioxide and supply oxygen to the blood. This transition will happen when the umbilical cord is tied off or clamped, so the baby will have its first breath using lungs to exchange gas.  

A lot of babies have gone through this without needing help or intervention, but some babies might need this. Neonatal resuscitation will help with breathing, establishing airflow, and also circulation. The first few moments of a baby’s life are the most important.  

Effective emergency care during this transition might be needed to prevent lifelong consequences. A person who will do the neonatal resuscitation requires a good amount of knowledge and protocols, also essential pieces of equipment, before starting the procedure. If the baby is identified as needing neonatal resuscitation before birth, then first additional help is needed.

LEARN MORE

If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, we recommend you to also take a look at the following questions:

Who is allowed to do neonatal resuscitation?

Minimum requirement of care for the newborn at birth?

KEYWORD: healthcare, first additional help, neonatal resuscitation

Subject: Health

Class: College

Subchapter: Neonatal Resuscitation