The Response Institute | CPR Consultants

866-990-2772
  •  
  • Classes
    • Full Course Schedule
    • Advanced Healthcare Provider Classes
    • BLS for Healthcare Provider Classes
    • Heartsaver Classes
  • About
    • Response Depot
    • AED Pulse
    • Our Staff
    • Satisfied Clients & Reviews
    • FAQs
  • News
  • Instructors
    • Instructor Forms
  • Contact
    • Locations
    • AED Login

Is It Safe to Perform CPR on a Pregnant Victim?

May 17, 2016 By Theresponseinsti

Reanimation Of Young WomanCardiac arrest can strike anyone at any time. Sadly, that includes pregnant women. Going through a pregnancy puts added strain on the body, which can make dealing with certain illnesses more difficult.

Resuscitation of pregnant women can be challenging, but it is possible. The primary goal should be to stabilize the mother, which will have the best possible outcome for the fetus.

Can Pregnancy Cause Cardiac Arrest?

There is an increased demand for blood flow during pregnancy. In fact, heart rates typically increase throughout a pregnancy, and by the end of the third trimester are 10 to 20 beats per minute higher than in an otherwise non-pregnant state. The odds that a pregnancy is the cause of cardiac arrest in the mother is rare, but it is important to keep in mind that the body is under more strain than usual.

When a pregnant woman goes into cardiac arrest, the pregnancy may or may not be contributing to the cause. Only a doctor will be able to make that assessment. Regardless of the cause, initiating CPR as quickly as possible will increase the chances that both mother and child will survive.

1006-Feature-CA-and-pregnancy_Graphic-679x1024

Can CPR Be Performed on a Pregnant Victim?

Yes, pregnant women can safely receive CPR. It is important for spouses and other family members to know that it is possible to perform CPR on a pregnant victim, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind. Cardiac arrest during pregnancy is a rare occurrence, but it happens often enough that you and your family should be prepared for such an emergency.

The chances of a pregnant mother going into cardiac arrest are about 1 in 12,000, according to the AHA.

A heartwarming story about a woman that managed a pregnancy despite a severe heart condition:

Is the CPR Process Different for Pregnant Women?

Different sources provide varying recommendations for performing CPR on pregnant women.

The Lippincott Nursing Center advises that chest compressions should be performed slightly higher on the sternum for pregnant women. This organization also suggests that it is safe to use defibrillation equipment on pregnant women, as long as all sensors to the body have been detached first.

The AHA states that CPR administration for pregnant women is the same as a non-pregnant victim. This includes:

  • compression rate
  • depth
  • positioning of the patient
  • hand placement
  • use of a firm backboard
  • minimal interruptions in chest compressions
  • use of the usual drugs and doses

Be Prepared for Cardiac Emergencies

If you want your family to be ready to handle an emergency situation, CPR training and education are an absolute must.

Contact the Response Institute to learn more about getting trained or certified in CPR and emergency first aid skills.

Click Here to Learn More

Filed Under: American Heart Association, CPR & AED, CPR for Friends and Family, First Aid, News and Events, news and tips Tagged With: American Heart Association, best CPR Training Facility, cpr, cpr class, cpr classes raleigh, cpr classes richmond, CPR for pregnant women, emergency training cources, first aid, first aid classes, learn cpr, pregnant CPR, raleigh, raleigh cpr classes, response institute, richmond, richmond cpr classes

Latest News
& Safety Tips

How to Find AED Locations

December 7, 2021 By Theresponseinsti

Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Maintenance Checklist

November 5, 2021 By Theresponseinsti

Follow Us    
Download App

Latest News & Safety Tips

How to Find AED Locations

December 7, 2021 By Theresponseinsti

Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Maintenance Checklist

November 5, 2021 By Theresponseinsti

Upcoming Classes

BLS for Healthcare Provider
Advanced Healthcare Provider
Full Class Listing
© 2020 Response Institute ● Raleigh | Richmond ● Privacy Policy

MENU
  •  
  • Classes
    • Full Course Schedule
    • Advanced Healthcare Provider Classes
    • BLS for Healthcare Provider Classes
    • Heartsaver Classes
  • About
    • Response Depot
    • AED Pulse
    • Our Staff
    • Satisfied Clients & Reviews
    • FAQs
  • News
  • Instructors
    • Instructor Forms
  • Contact
    • Locations
    • AED Login