How to Deliver a Baby

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Whether you're an expectant parent or an unsuspecting cabbie, the time may come when you are called upon to help deliver a baby with no professional help in sight. Don't worry—people have to do this all the time. Most of what you need to do is help the person in labor relax and let their body do the work. That being said, there are steps you can take to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible until help arrives. Plus, we spoke with board certified obstetrician and gynecologist Jennifer Butt and certified professional midwife Gloria Hines to get their advice on helping the birthing parent deliver as safely as possible.

Part 1
Part 1 of 5:

Preparing for the Birth

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  1. Contact your medical provider to help you decide if you should go to the hospital or call emergency services . That way, even if you have to deliver the baby yourself, help will arrive soon if you experience complications. The dispatcher should also be able to either talk you through the delivery or connect you to someone who can. [1]
    • If the person in labor has a doctor or midwife, call them even if you contact emergency services. The medical professional can often stay on the phone and help guide you through the process.
  2. The first stage of labor is called the “latent” stage, where the body is getting ready to deliver by dilating the cervix. It can take 12-24 hours, especially if this is the person's first child. The second, or “active,” stage occurs when the cervix has completely dilated to 10 cm or more. [2]
    • People may not experience as much pain or discomfort during the first stage as they do in later stages.
    • If the cervix is fully dilated, and you can see the baby's head crowning, they're in stage two. Wash your hands, skip to the next section, and get ready to catch the baby.
    • Unless you have been trained to do so, don't try to examine the cervix. Just watch to see if the head begins to appear.
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  3. Time the contractions from the beginning of one to the beginning of the next, and note how long they last. The further along labor is, the more regular, stronger, and closer together contractions become. Here's what you need to know about contractions: [3]
    • Contractions that are 10 minutes apart or less are a sign that a person has entered labor. Physicians recommend that you contact the hospital when contractions are 5 minutes apart and last 60 seconds, and this activity has been going on for an hour. If this is the case, you probably have time to make it to the hospital if you live close to one.
    • First-time parents are likely to give birth when contractions are three to five minutes apart and last 40 to 90 seconds, increasing in strength and frequency for at least an hour. [4]
    • If the contractions are two minutes or less apart, buckle down and get ready to deliver the baby, especially if the person has given birth quickly in the past. Also, if the parent feels like they're going to have a bowel movement, the baby is probably moving through the birth canal, creating pressure on the rectum, and is on their way out.
    • If the baby is preterm, then you should contact the person's physician and emergency services at any signs of labor.
  4. Remove any jewelry, such as rings or watches. To sanitize your arms and hands , wash your hands thoroughly with antimicrobial soap and warm water. Scrub your arms all the way up to your elbows. If you have the time, wash your hands for five minutes; if you don't have time for that, wash them thoroughly for at least one minute. [5]
    • Remember to scrub in between your fingers and under your nails. Use a nail brush or even a toothbrush to clean under your nails. [6]
    • Wear sterile gloves if available. Don't wear things like dishwashing gloves, which are likely loaded with bacteria.
    • To finish (or if you don't have access to soap and water), use an alcohol-based hand sanitizing product or rubbing alcohol to kill off any bacteria and viruses that may have been on your skin. This helps prevent giving the birthing parent or the baby an infection.
  5. Get set up so that you have everything you'll need within easy reach, and so the birthing parent is as comfortable as possible. There will be a mess afterwards, so you may want to have absorbent pads near the birthing area or set up somewhere you don't mind getting messy. [7]
    • Collect clean towels and clean sheets. If you have clean, waterproof tablecloths or a clean vinyl shower curtain, these are excellent at preventing blood and other fluids from staining furniture or carpeting. In a pinch, you can use newspapers, but they are not as sanitary.
    • Get a blanket or something warm and soft to wrap the baby in. The infant must be kept warm once they are delivered.
    • Find a few pillows. You might need them to prop up the birthing parent as they're pushing. Cover the pillows with clean sheets or towels.
    • Fill a clean bowl with warm water and get a pair of scissors, a few lengths of string, rubbing alcohol, cotton balls, and a bulb syringe . You may find that sanitary napkins or paper towels are helpful to stop the bleeding later.
    • Get a bucket in case the birthing parent feels nauseated or needs to vomit. You may also want to get a glass of water for them. Labor is hard work.
  6. They may feel panicky, rushed, or embarrassed. Do your best to remain calm and reassuring to help them relax. [8]
    • Ask the birthing parent to undress from the waist down. Provide them with a clean sheet or towel to cover up, if they'd like.
    • Encourage them to breathe. Avoid hyperventilation by speaking in a low, soothing voice and verbally directing their breathing. Encourage them to inhale through the nose and out through the mouth in an even, rhythmic manner. If you're still having trouble, hold their hand and take deep, slow breaths along with them.
    • Butt recommends, “[Have them] take a deep breath in and to hold their breath for 10 seconds while pushing, and then to exhale… We do that three times total for each contraction.”
    • Reassure them. This is probably not the birthing experience they had in mind, and they might be worried about potential complications. Tell them that help is on the way and that you'll do the best you can in the meantime. Remind them that people have given birth outside of hospitals for thousands of years, and that it's more than possible to come through it safely.
    • Validate them. The expectant parent may feel scared, angry, giddy, or any combination of those feelings. Validate whatever they are feeling. Don't try to correct them or argue with them.
  7. They might want to walk around or crouch down during this stage of labor, especially when a contraction hits. As they start to transition to the second phase, they might want to settle into a position to give birth or cycle through a few different ones. Switching between positions may help the labor progress more smoothly, but let them decide what's working for their body. Here are four standard positions, and the pros and cons of each: [9]
    • Squatting: This takes advantage of gravity and can open the birth canal 20%-30% more than other positions. You can help the parent in this position by kneeling behind them and supporting their back.
    • All-fours or kneeling: This position is gravity-neutral and can ease back pain, and the person might instinctively choose it. It can provide pain relief if they have hemorrhoids. Position yourself behind them if that's the case.
    • Side-lying: This leads to a slower descent through the birth canal, but can lead to a more gentle stretching of the perineum and may reduce tearing. Have the parent lie on their side, with their knees bent, and lift the top leg. They might also need to prop themself up on an elbow.
    • Lithotomy position (lying back). This is the most common position used in hospitals, with the patient lying flat on their back and their legs bent at the knee. It allows maximum access for the caregiver, but it puts a lot of pressure on the patient's back and is not considered ideal. It may also make contractions slower and more painful. If the person in labor seems to prefer this position, try putting a few pillows under their back to ease the pain.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 5:

Delivering the Baby

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  1. Don't encourage them to push until they feel an unstoppable pressure to do so—you don't want to waste their energy and exhaust them too early. When they’re ready to push, they may feel increased pressure near their lower back, perineum, or rectum. It may even feel to them as though they are ready to have a bowel movement. [10] When they are ready, you can guide them through the pushing.
    • Ask the parent to curl forward and tuck their chin. This curved position will help the baby through the pelvis. [11]
    • The area around the vagina will bulge until you see the top of the baby's head (crowning). As soon as the baby crowns, it's time for the parent to push in earnest.
    • Encourage them to focus their abdominal muscles to push down, as you might do when you're trying to urinate faster or have a bowel movement. This can help avoid straining or directing the pushing force upward toward the neck and face.
    • Three to four pushes, lasting 6-8 seconds each, are considered appropriate per contraction. However, it is important to encourage the parent to do whatever comes naturally to them. [12]
    • Keep encouraging deep, slow breathing. Pain can be controlled to different extents through mental relaxation and by concentrating on deep breathing instead of panicking or being distracted by everything that is going on. Different people have different levels of mental control, but deep, slow breathing is always a benefit during childbirth.
    • Understand that the person may urinate or have a bowel movement during labor. This is normal and is not a cause for concern. [13]
  2. This step isn't complicated, but it's important. Pay extra attention to these tips:
    • Do not pull on the baby's head or the umbilical cord . This can cause nerve damage.
    • If the cord is wrapped around the baby's neck, which is fairly common, gently lift it over the baby's head or carefully loosen it so the baby can slip through the loop. [14] Do not pull on the cord .
    • It's natural for the baby to pass through the pelvis face down. If the baby's face is facing toward the parent's back, don't worry. This is actually the best position for delivery. [15]
    • If you see the feet or buttocks coming first (rather than the head), you have a breech birth. See instructions for that situation below.
  3. When the baby's head rotates to one side (which they will probably do on their own), be prepared for the body to come out with the next push. [16]
    • If the baby's head does not rotate to one side, ask the mother to push again. The baby will likely rotate spontaneously.
    • If the baby's head doesn't rotate without help, gently turn it to one side. This should help a shoulder emerge with the next push. Don't push it if you feel any resistance.
    • Deliver the other shoulder. Gently lift the body toward the birthing parent's stomach to help the other shoulder come through. The rest of the body should follow quickly.
    • Keep supporting the head. The body will be slippery. Make sure you're still providing enough support for the baby's neck, which isn't strong enough to support the head on its own. [17]
  4. Hopefully, all goes well, and you've successfully delivered a healthy baby by now. If the delivery seems stalled, though, here's what you can do: [18]
    • If the head comes out, and the rest of the body doesn't come out after the birthing parent pushes three times, have them lie on their back. Instruct them to grab their knees and pull their thighs toward their stomach and chest. This is called the McRoberts position, and it's very effective at helping push the baby out. [19] Have her push hard with each contraction.
    • Never push on a mother's abdomen to try to help deliver a stuck baby.
    • If the feet come out first, see the section on breech birth below.
    • If the baby is still stuck and paramedics are still nowhere near the scene, you can try to guide the baby's head gently downward toward the parent's rectum. This should only be attempted as a last resort , and should not be attempted at all if medical attention is arriving soon.
  5. They should be crying slightly. If they're not, you can take a few steps to help make sure the airway is clear. First, gently wipe the baby’s mouth and nose with a sterile cloth or gauze to clear any mucus. [20]
    • Rub the body. Physical touch will help the baby breathe. If that's not helping, turn the baby so that they're facing the ceiling, tilt the head back to straighten the airway, and keep rubbing the body. They might not cry, but doing this ensures that the baby gets the air they need.
    • Rubbing vigorously with a clean towel can also help stimulate the baby to breathe.
    • If the baby needs more stimulation, rub their trunk and back or gently tap the soles of the baby's feet with your fingers. Don't slap the baby.
    • Manually clear fluids. If the baby gags or turns blue, wipe fluids out of the mouth and nose with a clean blanket or cloth. If that doesn't do the trick, squeeze the air out of a bulb syringe, put the tip in the nose or mouth, and release the bulb to suck the fluid into the bulb. Repeat until all the fluid is cleared, emptying the bulb between uses.
    • If none of this helps, perform infant CPR .
  6. Ensure full-skin contact, and cover them both with clean towels or blankets. The skin-to-skin contact encourages the birthing parent’s body to produce a hormone called oxytocin, which will help them deliver the placenta and bond with the baby. [21]
    • Position the baby so that their head is still slightly lower than the rest of the body, to allow any fluids to keep draining. If the birthing parent is lying down and the baby's head is on their shoulder, and their body is on their breast, this should happen naturally.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 5:

Delivering a Breech Birth

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  1. If it happens, a breech birth is a circumstance where the feet or buttocks enter the pelvis first instead of the head coming out. [22]
    • A medical provider may turn the baby at 37-38 weeks. However, trying to turn a baby can be unsafe for untrained people.
    • In most cases, medical providers recommend a C-section for babies who are breech due to the risk of dangerous complications. [23]
  2. Have them get on their hands and knees on a bed or other surface and then lower down onto their elbows. Coach them to push during their contractions. [24]
    • As a precaution, put down pillows or blankets where the baby is likely to land if you’re unable to catch them.
  3. You'll see their back and bottom hang down, but avoid touching the baby until the legs are free of the parent. Then, grasp the baby’s trunk and legs. After the arms are free, very gently guide the baby to turn forward in a downward motion. [25]
    • The forward turn and downward motion may happen naturally due to gravity and the birthing parent’s pushing.
  4. Once the head is delivered, make sure the baby takes its first breath. You may need to gently wipe mucus away from their mouth and nose or gently tap their heels. Then, grab the baby under the arms and bring them up to the birthing parent for skin-to-skin touch. “Skin-to-skin [touch] with the baby for the first 72 hours will help regulate the baby's respiration, glucose, and temperature. They can't thermoregulate on their own before then,” explains Hines.
    • It’s possible to deliver a breech baby vaginally, but there’s a higher risk of injury to the baby’s limbs.
    • There’s also a higher risk of twisting or compressing the umbilical cord, which can cause oxygen deprivation.
    • There may also be more difficulty delivering the baby’s shoulders and head. [26]
    • A breech birth should only be attempted at home in an emergency situation or under the supervision of an experienced medical practitioner.
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Part 4
Part 4 of 5:

Delivering the Placenta

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  1. Delivering the placenta is the third stage of labor. It will arrive anywhere between a few minutes to an hour after the baby is delivered. The birthing parent will probably feel an urge to push after a few minutes; this is helpful. [27]
    • Right before it emerges, blood will come out of the vagina, and the umbilical cord will get longer.
    • Have the birthing parent sit up and cough or push to help the placenta move downward through the vagina.
    • Rub their stomach below the belly button firmly to help slow down the bleeding. [28]
  2. If the cord isn't stretched too tightly by doing so, encourage the birthing parent to breastfeed as soon as possible. This releases oxytocin, which helps stimulate a contraction and encourages the delivery of the placenta. It may also help slow bleeding. [29]
    • If a medical practitioner is present, they may give the birthing parent an injection of oxytocin or another drug to help stimulate uterine contractions to deliver the placenta.
    • If the placenta isn’t delivered naturally, a medical practitioner may manually remove it to avoid severe blood loss.
  3. As the placenta is delivering, don't tug on the cord to hurry it along. Let it come out on its own as the birthing parent pushes. While a medical practitioner may gently tug on the umbilical cord to help deliver the placenta, they also know how to support the uterus to avoid damaging it. [30]
    • If you aren’t a trained medical practitioner, you may damage the uterus or cause severe bleeding by pulling on the umbilical cord.
  4. Once the placenta is out, place it in a disposable bag or a container with a lid. Do not throw it out . When and if the person goes to a hospital, the doctor might want to inspect the placenta for abnormalities and ensure all of the tissue has been delivered.
    • A retained placenta, or placenta that hasn’t fully detached, can lead to life-threatening infection and blood loss. [31]
  5. You should only cut the umbilical cord if professional medical attention is hours away. Otherwise, leave it alone and just make sure it's not pulled tight. If you do need to cut the cord, first feel the cord gently for a pulse. After about ten minutes, the cord will stop pulsing. According to Hines, midwives prefer to wait until the cord is light and no longer pulsing. This allows the baby’s heart to draw all of its blood back into its body. Don't cut it before then.
    • Don't worry about pain. There are no nerve endings in an umbilical cord; neither the birthing parent nor the baby will feel pain when it’s cut. The cord will, however, be slippery and difficult to handle.
    • Tie a string or lace around the cord, about three inches from the baby's belly button. Tie it tightly with a double knot.
    • Tie another lace about two inches away from the first one, again using a double knot.
    • Using a sterile knife or scissors (that have been boiled in water for 20 minutes or wiped down with rubbing alcohol), cut between the two laces. Don't be surprised if it's rubbery and tough to cut; just take your time.
    • Cover the baby again when the cord is cut.
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Part 5
Part 5 of 5:

Caring for the Birthing Parent & Baby

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  1. Cover them both in blankets, and encourage the birthing parent to keep the baby on their chest with skin-to-skin contact. [32] Replace any wet or dirty bedding, and move them to a clean, dry area.
    • Control pain. Put an ice pack on the birthing person's vagina for the first 24 hours to ease soreness and pain. Offer them acetaminophen/paracetamol or ibuprofen if they're not allergic. [33]
    • Give the parent something light to eat and a drink. Avoid carbonated drinks and fatty or sugary foods, as these could cause nausea. Toast, crackers, or light sandwiches are good options. The parent may want to rehydrate with an electrolyte-containing sports drink.
    • Put a diaper on the baby . Make sure it's below the umbilical cord. If you have a small hat available, put it on the baby, so they don't catch a chill.
  2. Sometimes, unexpected deliveries can cause hemorrhaging after delivery. It occurs in up to 18% of all deliveries. To help prevent this, you can firmly massage the uterus. If you see significant blood flow after the placenta is delivered, do the following: [34]
    • Place one ( clean ) hand inside the vagina. Place your other hand low on the parent's abdomen. Push down with the hand placed on the abdomen as you push against the uterus from the inside with the other hand. [35]
    • You can also make firm, repetitive squeezing movements with one hand on the lower abdomen without placing a hand inside the vagina.
  3. Instruct and if necessary help the birthing person pour warm water over the vagina every time they urinate to keep the area clean. You can use a clean squeeze bottle to do this. [36]
    • If they need to have a bowel movement, have them place a clean pad or washcloth against their vagina while they push.
    • Help the person urinate. It is good for them to empty their bladder, but due to blood loss, it may be best to have them urinate in a pan or on a cloth you can move from under them, so they do not have to get up.
  4. Once delivery is complete, proceed to the nearest hospital or await the ambulance you called. [37]
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      Tips

      • Don't be alarmed if the baby's a little blue when they're born, or if they don't cry right away. The baby's complexion will resemble that of the birthing parent once they start to cry, but the hands and feet might still be blue. Just replace the wet towel with a dry one and put a hat on the baby's head.
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      • As an expectant mother or father, be sure to consider the possibility of going into labor when you make travel plans or do activities near the due date. Also, be sure to carry emergency supplies, such as soap, sterile gauze, sterile scissors, clean sheets, etc., with you in your car. (See the Things You'll Need listed below.)
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      • If you don't have anything at hand, use shirts or towels to warm up the parent and the baby.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Allow the mother to move into positions that feel most comfortable to her body, as long as they are safe for both her and the baby. Don't force her into specific poses.
      • Remain calm and speak reassuringly to the mother throughout the process. A calm demeanor will help keep her as relaxed as possible.
      • Call emergency services as soon as possible after delivery. Get medical attention even if all seems well.
      • Once delivered, place the baby skin-to-skin on the mother's chest to encourage bonding and breastfeeding.
      • If the mother wants pain relief, suggest breathing techniques and provide emotional support.
      • Keep the delivery area warm. Newborns are very sensitive to drops in temperature.
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      Warnings

      • Keep yourself, the birthing parent, and the birthing area as clean and sterile as possible to avoid any risk of infection.
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      • Do not clean the parent or baby with antiseptic or antibacterial products unless soap and water are not available and there is an external cut.
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      • These instructions are not intended as a substitute for trained medical professionals, nor is this a guide for a planned home birth.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Baby-size bulb syringe (made of soft plastic, often called an ear syringe; should not be a nasal syringe as the plastic tip does not fit into a baby-sized nose)
      • Small bottle of isopropyl alcohol
      • Box of disposable plastic or latex gloves
      • Clean shoelaces to tie the umbilical cord
      • Sharp scissors to cut the umbilical cord
      • Chemical cold pack (the kind you squeeze to get it cold)
      • Six disposable diapers
      • Pain pills such as Tylenol® or Advil®
      • Small bar of antibacterial soap or liquid antibacterial hand sanitizer
      • Four cotton baby blankets
      • Newborn cap
      • Four towels
      • Washcloth
      • Bowl for the placenta
      • Blankets to keep the parent warm
      • Pillows
      • Five large trash bags for dirty laundry
      • Two medium-sized trash bags for the placenta
      • Instructions for CPR for adults and babies
      • Emergency contact information

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      References

      1. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9676-labor-delivery
      2. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9676-labor-delivery
      3. ↑ https://familydoctor.org/know-im-labor/
      4. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/contractions
      5. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK144036/
      6. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/nail-hygiene.html
      7. ↑ https://www.nct.org.uk/labour-birth/deciding-where-give-birth/giving-birth-home/home-birth-what-kit-do-i-need
      8. ↑ https://health.osu.edu/health/womens-health/when-baby-is-coming-before-you-reach-the-hospital
      9. ↑ https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/birthing-positions
      1. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525996/
      2. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1804305/
      3. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1804305/
      4. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/pregnancy.html
      5. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525996/
      6. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000621.htm
      7. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525996/
      8. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001395.htm
      9. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23155-mcroberts-maneuver
      10. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537280/
      11. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525996/
      12. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525996/
      13. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000623.htm
      14. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21848-breech-baby
      15. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5290512/
      16. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5290512/
      17. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21848-breech-baby
      18. ↑ https://www.nct.org.uk/labour-birth/your-guide-labour/third-stage-labour-delivering-placenta-and-cord-clamping
      19. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/stages-of-labor/art-20046545
      20. ↑ https://www.nct.org.uk/labour-birth/your-guide-labour/third-stage-labour-delivering-placenta-and-cord-clamping
      21. ↑ https://www.nhsinform.scot/ready-steady-baby/labour-and-birth/giving-birth/delivering-your-placenta/
      22. ↑ https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/labor-and-birth/retained-placenta/
      23. ↑ https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/health-library/keeping-your-baby-warm
      24. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/postpartum-care/art-20047233
      25. ↑ https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2007/0315/p875.html
      26. ↑ https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2007/0315/p875.html
      27. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/recovering-delivery.html
      28. ↑ https://utswmed.org/medblog/go-into-labor-home/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you don't have access to a medical professional and you must deliver a baby yourself, start by sanitizing your arms and hands with either antimicrobial soap and warm water, rubbing alcohol, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Next, help the mother into whatever position is most comfortable for her, like squatting, which can open up the birth canal and help things along, or being on all-fours, which can ease back pain. Don't have her lie on her back unless she wants to. Try to keep her calm throughout all of this by encouraging her to breathe and speaking in a low, soothing voice. Once she starts pushing and the baby emerges, use your hands to support its head, but make sure you don't pull on the baby or the umbilical cord. Continue reading to learn what you need to do once the baby has emerged and how to handle complications.

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