Where There Is No Doctor 2011 261
Normally the baby is born head first like this:
Now push hard.
Now try not to push hard. Take
many short, fast breaths. This
helps prevent tearing the opening
(see p. 269).
The head usually comes out face
down. If the baby has feces (shit)
in her mouth and nose, clean it out
immediately (see p. 262).
Then the baby’s body turns to
one side so the shoulders can
come out.
If the shoulders get stuck after the head comes out:
The midwife can take the baby’s
head in her hands and lower it
very carefully, so the shoulder
can come out.
Then she can raise the head a
little so that the other shoulder
comes out.
All the force must come from the mother. The midwife should never pull on the
head, or twist or bend the baby’s neck, because this can harm the baby.