GIVING CPR TO A PREGNANT PERSON: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

 Posted August 23, 2022 to the ASHI and MEDIC First Aid Blog

GIVING CPR TO A PREGNANT PERSON: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW


What do I do if the victim is pregnant in the event of cardiac arrest? This is a common question that Emergency Care Instructors hear when covering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) topics. Some bystanders might feel hesitant to intervene out of fear of harming the baby or mother. This topic is important to discuss to help reduce barriers to bystander CPR and AED use.

Just like with other cardiac arrest victims, it’s better to provide care than to do nothing at all. CPR and defibrillation steps are the same—you'll perform CPR and use an AED as you would with non-pregnant adults. 

Here’s some information to better understand how a woman’s body adapts during pregnancy and special considerations to take when providing emergency care. 

HEART HEALTH DURING PREGNANCY

Pregnancy causes many anatomical and physiological changes that can create an extra strain on a woman’s body.

During pregnancy, there’s an increased need for blood flow within the mother’s body. Cardiac output (or blood volume) rises 30% to 50% to meet the needs of both the mother and growing baby. Additionally, a woman’s heart rate may increase by 15 to 20 beats per minute throughout her pregnancy. 

With the heart working overtime and other influencing factors, many health conditions can arise during pregnancy. 

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