Guideline Summary

Passage through the birth canal is a hypoxic experience for the fetus since respiratory exchange through the placenta is prevented for the 50-75 seconds duration of the average contraction. Most babies tolerate this well, but those few that do not may require help to establish normal breathing at delivery.

This guideline provides guidance for paramedics¹ for the assessment and management of newborn life support and includes drying and covering the baby to conserve heat, assessing the need for any intervention, opening the airway, lung aeration, rescue breathing, and chest compression.

¹The principles will be applicable to all pre-hospital clinicians.

Current guideline - issued 2006