In 2015 the American Heart Association release an article stating that responders attempting to treat a pregnant woman suffering from cardia arrest should not be concerned about haring the fetus by doing chest compressions or by using an AED.
There are steps bystanders can take to help pregnant women who go into cardiac arrest:
First, call 911 and tell the operator that the woman in cardiac arrest is pregnant. This will alert the operator to take special measures such as sending additional EMS providers and taking the patient to a hospital that can perform an emergency C-section if necessary.
Next, start CPR. Do the chest compressions performed in the same way as for a woman who is not pregnant (pushing hard and fast at the center of the chest at a rate of at least 100 compressions per minute). CPR in a pregnant woman should be done in cycles of 30 compressions and two breaths.
Finally, use an AED. Shock from a defibrillator and chest compressions will not harm the fetus. The fetus will likely not survive if the mother does not receive these life-saving measures.” If revived, the pregnant woman should be placed on her left side to improve blood flow to the heart and therefore to the fetus.
If you ever find yourself in a situation in which you are attempting to save the life of a pregnant woman experiencing cardiac arrest, do not hesitate to administer the same life saving techniques that would be used on someone who is not pregnant. More than one life could depend on it.
Remember: call 911, administer CPR, use an AED! The 911 operator will assist you with CPR and use of an AED if necessary.
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