When a baby is born, the baby will lose his or her oxygen supply from the placenta. Most babies then start breathing on their own and crying is a sign that they are breathing well and that their heart is beating. When babies do not appear to be breathing normally or appear very floppy and pale, then urgent assessment and intervention is required.
Newborn or neonatal resuscitation usually involves moving a baby to a resuscitaire radiant warmer. This is a special bed that can warm a baby and has breathing equipment to help support resuscitation efforts. A baby may initially be dried and stimulated and then breaths can be given via a mask. The breaths provide a small amount of positive pressure to help open up the airways.
In some cases, these efforts to establish effective ventilation are not effective, and the health care team must place an endotracheal tube or laryngeal mask to provide effective ventilation into the baby’s lungs. The standards for new born resuscitation require that this be done within the first 2 minutes of life.
Additional support may also be required if the baby does not respond to effective ventilation, including chest compressions and the administration of certain medications.
Newborn or neonatal resuscitation is a lifesaving treatment and helps to provide essential oxygen to a baby’s brain in the seconds and minutes after birth. Some babies who are born initially not breathing normally or floppy and pale may need only minimal support before they perk up. Others will require extensive resuscitation and where it is critical that all the steps of resuscitation are performed in the correct order and within the correct timeframe. The condition of these babies at birth is often due to inadequate oxygenation during labour, infection, congenital heart or respiratory problems. They may require transfer to another hospital for a higher level of care, and admission into Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for continued support and investigation.
It may be possible to predict which babies may require resuscitation following delivery and the team best able to provide this treatment can be asked to attend the birth in anticipation.
Babies who are more likely to require newborn resuscitation include:
- Babies born prematurely;
- Babies with potential fetal distress during labour (abnormalities in their heart rate);
- Babies who have passed meconium during labour or delivery;
- Babies who did not grow as expected during pregnancy;
- Twin or multiple pregnancy;
- Babies born vaginally who were a breech presentation (head not passing down the birth canal first);
- Babies who are suspected to have an infection prior to birth;
- Babies with medical conditions diagnosed before being born.
In some cases, there may not be signs that a baby is going to need resuscitation after delivery. In these circumstances, the team should call promptly for help with supporting a baby who is struggling to breathe in the first minutes of life.
Where a baby is born not breathing and does not receive effective and prompt resuscitation after birth, he or she may go without oxygen and this places him or her at risk of a brain injury.
Where a baby is born and fails to breathe for longer than a few minutes, he or she is at risk of developing a brain injury. If your baby has suffered a brain injury and had difficulties breathing following birth then please contact us – we would like to help. We have a team of experienced lawyers and medical specialists who can review the medical care your baby received and help answer your questions. We will provide you with the information and advice you need to make informed decisions about your child’s future and ensure your child’s rights are protected. Rest assured – the consultation is confidential and free of charge.
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Understanding Birth Injuries
- All
- Labour and delivery
- Newborn
- Pregnancy