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      Evacuation from a Birth Pool

      When a person needs to be evacuated from a birthing pool, there are a few considerations to be made depending on the individual scenario.

      Evacuation from a birth pool largely depends on the woman’s mobility and state of consciousness. It is also critical that a risk assessment is carried out for each scenario and that staff are trained and practiced to minimise those risks.  Here are some of the considerations:

      1. Assisted Exit:

        • Light-Headed but Stable: If the woman is light-headed but stable, she may exit the pool with assistance from the midwifery team and a stable set of steps with a handrail.  It is crucial to ensure the steps are fit for purpose

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      2. Emergency Evacuation:

        • Collapsed and Lying in the Pool:
          • Support the Head: The first step is to support the woman’s head.
          • Positioning the Stretcher: The midwifery team will bring a stretcher or bed, positioning it at the end or alongside the pool.
          • Using a Sling: A "net-like" sling is passed underneath the woman. It is beneficial to leave the water in the pool (or even add more) to assist with buoyancy, reducing the manual handling required for the lift.

      3. Lifting and Transferring:

        • Risk Assessment: A risk assessment should be conducted beforehand to determine the number of people needed for the lift. Typically, two people on either side of the sling each take a handle to slide the woman out of the pool onto the receiving bed/stretcher. A slide sheet or short transfer board may also be used.
        • Choosing the Right Sling: Using an appropriate “net-like” sling ensures the lifting weight is minimized and that water can pass through the sling.

      4. Considerations for the Receiving Bed/Stretcher:

        • Size and Shape: Ensure the receiving bed/stretcher is suitable in size and shape and can be positioned effectively against the pool to minimise gaps.
        • Temporary Wetness: The equipment should be appropriate for temporary exposure to water.

      5. Standard Practices and Training:

        • Variations in Hospital Procedures: Each hospital may have a different approach, but the “net” method is very popular and practicing the evacuation procedure regularly is essential.
        • Overhead Hoists: While overhead hoists are an option, they are often considered too time-consuming to deploy in an emergency. Most hospitals rely on the “net” approach and ensure staff are trained on the procedure, including the location and use of the sling, the appropriate bed/stretcher, and the roles during the transfer.

       

      Note: It is highly recommended to engage the support of your hospital’s Manual Handling Team to ensure the relevant risk assessments are complete and approved handling procedures are in practice