While the possibility of having to assist in an emergency child birth is rare, it could happen. Child birth is a natural process and there are still many countries where babies are not delivered in hospitals. Most deliveries are normal. Knowing what to do before the imminent can make the process less hectic and an exciting event, joyous. When a woman is in labor, there are some factors that need to be considered in order to decide if there is time to get her to the hospital.
Labor is generally slower during the first pregnancy.
A rule of thumb is that if the contractions are 5 minutes apart or longer, there usually is time to go to the hospital. If it ruptured several hours prior, the delivery may be more difficult and there is an increased risk of infection. If the mother feels the urge to move her bowels, this is a sign that the delivery is imminent. The baby s head in the mother s vagina presses against the rectum, causing the sensation of needing to have a bowel movement. Also, determine whether there is crowning.