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Home : News : Lake Zurich Crew Handles a Breech Delivery

Lake Zurich Crew Handles a Breech Delivery

4/11/2017

Lake Zurich recently responded for a woman in labor.  When the crew entered the home,  the patient was pacing in her bedroom. She had family at her side. She informed the responders that her water had broken and she was experiencing contractions every two minutes. She expressed multiple times the “urge to push” and she “felt the baby coming”. She had already laid out blankets and pillows on the floor.

The patient was instructed to lie on the ground so they could perform an exam. Crowning was noted and it became apparent a breech delivery was underway. An on-scene delivery was set up.  As the mom pushed, one foot popped out. The crew was still setting up the OB kit, airway bag and drug box. The mom was encouraged to push again and the medic was able to feel the second leg and was able to guide the leg out. The next action was placing his hands on the baby’s torso. He noticed the cord was around the neck and was able to place one finger in-between the neck and cord. During this task there was no resistance and it felt like the cord was not tight around the baby’s neck. There was a noticeable pulsation from the cord. The medic began to rotate the baby allowing the cord to unravel and rest at a normal position. Suction was performed in the mouth and nostrils. The crew clamped the cord and observed the absence of pulsation before cutting. When the baby was fully delivered it took a stern rub on the sole of her feet to obtain the strong cry we all wanted to hear.  Both patients were transported and the outcome was excellent.

The crew credited the training they received for this type of event.  Breech births in the field are infrequent and fairly high risk in an uncontrolled environment.  As the acting lieutenant remarked-

"EMS must remember, TEAMWORK is the key to success before, during and after the call.  Knowing the crew's capabilities was vital to this incident which helped make this call run smooth and proficiently.  TRAINING is the key!


Left to right:  Lieutenant Jeff Grant, FF/P Chris Hedquist, FF/P David Santoyo, FF/P Jason Kraus with Paige Noelle, Mom Angela with big sister Grace and Dad Kevin, FF/P Jeff Hall
and FF/P Shaun Stapleton



 
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