Neonatal resuscitation

For some babies, the need for resuscitation may be anticipated:

However, for many babies, the need for resuscitation cannot be anticipated before delivery. Therefore, be prepared for resuscitation at every delivery. First, observe quickly for any signs of respiratory problems:

If the baby needs resuscitation, quickly clamp or tie and cut the cord, leaving a stump at least 10 cm long for now and then start resuscitation immediately by using the correct size of the face mask.

Position
  • Place the baby on his back with the neck slightly extended (chin left and head tilt).
  • Put a towel or cloth behind the shoulder to facilitate positioning.
Correct position

Hyper flexed incorrect position

Hyperextended wrong position

Clear airway
  • Clear the airway or wiping out the mouth with gauze.
  • Suction the baby's nose and mouth gently by using bubble syringe.
  • Reassess the baby's breathing.
Ventilate
  • Use baby bag and mask to ventilate at 40-60 breaths per minute.
  • Continue to ventilate until the baby breathes independently.
  • Stop after 20 minutes if the baby has not responded.
Correct proper mask

Incorrect smaller mask

Incorrect bigger mask.

Monitor
  • Keep the baby warm (skin-to-skin).
  • Not bath the baby within 24 hours.
  • Breastfeed as soon as possible.
  • Watch for signs of a breathing problem rapid, laboured, or noisy breathing, blue.
  • The colour of the tongue, trunk.
  • If a breathing problem occurs, stimulate, give oxygen [if available], and refer
  • urgently.

How to ventilate:

When to stop ventilating?:

When to continue ventilating?




Immediate assessment and newborn care

If you are attending a delivery or a baby is brought to you immediately after birth, you need to dry and wrap the baby with dry cloth and cover the head and assess any breathing problem:

Assessment and classification of newborns

Signs Classification
Treatment
If any of the following sign is present:
  • Not breathing or gasping or
  • Breathing poorly (less than 30 breaths per minute).
  • Birth asphyxia

    Start resuscitation

  • Position the baby in the supine position and head tilt-chin lift.
  • Clear the airway by bubble syringe or clean gauze.
  • Ventilate with appropriate size mask and self-inflating bag.
  • If baby remains weak or has irregular breathing after 20 minutes refer urgently to health centre or hospital.
  • If successful within 20 minutes continue to give essential newborn care.
  • Follow after 6hrs, 12hrs, 24hrs, 3rd day, 7th day and 6th week.
  • Breathing >30 b/m NO Birth asphyxia


    Continue with the essential newborn care.

  • Put the newborn skin-to-skin contact to the mother.
  • Initiate immediate breastfeeding within 1 hour.
  • Apply 1% TTC eye ointment in the newborn's eyes.
  • Give 1 mg Vitamin K IM.
  • Delay bathing for 24 hours.
  • Provide four follow-up visits at age 6-24 hrs, three days seven days and six weeks.
  • Advise the mother when to return for the next visit.