You may want to have a helper put
pressure on the mother’s pubic bone (not
her belly). This is to keep the baby’s head
tucked in, not to push the baby out.
Carefully move the baby’s body down to
deliver the top shoulder. Hold the baby by
the hips or below.
Be careful. Pressure on the baby’s back
or belly can injure her insides.
If the top shoulder does not come out,
you may need to put your fingers inside
the mother’s vagina to bring the arm out.
Try to grasp the arm by feeling the
shoulder, and then following it down.
Pull the arm across the chest by pulling
gently on the elbow. Deliver the top
shoulder.
Lift the baby gently to deliver the
bottom shoulder and then gently
deliver the bottom arm.
Baby is breech
The baby must now turn to face the
mother’s bottom. Hold the baby with your
arm, and put one finger in the baby’s
mouth. Put your other hand on the baby’s
shoulders, with one finger on the back of
the baby’s head to keep it tucked in. The
baby’s chin should stay close to her chest so
it can fit easily through the mother’s pelvis.
217
A Book for Midwives (2010)