Heimlich Maneuver for Pregnant Women Video

E.R. physician Dr. Travis Stork demonstrates the correct way to perform the Heimlich maneuver on a choking pregnant woman.
Read the full transcript »

Dr. Travis Stork: One other things I want to ask you one obviously I'm a trained ER doctor, spent a lot of years learning how to treat emergencies, but do all of you know what to do if someone is choking? Well, interestingly enough people who think about this, Lisa, you do. Lisa: I do. Dr. Travis Stork: When someone is pregnant, the whole Heimlich maneuver that we've been taught in CPR doesn't work, because there is a baby in there. So I want to teach everyone at home and in the audience, how to think like an ER doctor, especially if you have an expecting mom nearby because you can save two lives. Lisa: Yes. Dr. Travis Stork: So any expecting moms in the audience today come on up. Nice to meet you. What's your name? Female Speaker: My name is Becca? Dr. Travis Stork: Okay, so and Becaa, how long are you or how far long are you? Female Speaker: 34 weeks. Dr. Travis Stork: 34 weeks. Congratulations! What a girl. So Lisa, I am going to have you come up here as well, because if I could I am going to show everyone at home and in the audience how to properly perform the Heimlich maneuver. And I am going to have you hold the mic for one second. So normal Heimlich maneuver very simple take your fist wrap your other hand around it. Get behind the person find their belly button go a little above it underneath your ribcage five quick thrusts and I won't hurt you Liz don't and you've got to put a little oomph in to it. What you're doing is you're forcing that diaphragm to artificially go up, push air out of your lungs which then dislodges the object, but you're 34 weeks long. So I am going make sure how to do on a pregnant women, Liz you take the mic, since you can't put your hand and fist where the baby is, because you can injure the baby, you have to go above where the baby lies right where the ribcages meet and you still do five quick thrusts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Again, what that will do is that will compress the ribcage push, air out of the lungs and allow you to hopefully cough up with other whatever is lodged. So think like an ER doctor, be prepared and best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy. Thank you so much.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement