Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a pregnant woman can be a daunting task, as there are specific considerations to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby. In the UK, it is crucial for individuals trained in CPR to be familiar with these adjustments in order to respond effectively during an emergency situation involving a pregnant woman.
When administering CPR to a pregnant woman, certain factors such as the woman’s physical condition, the stage of pregnancy, and the availability of specialized equipment need to be taken into account. High-quality chest compressions should be performed immediately and continued until the return of spontaneous circulation, as stated in the clinical guidelines by the Obstetric Anaesthetists’ Association. It is essential to call 999 as soon as you find her unresponsive — before you check her breathing — and to tell the operator that she is pregnant, so that the emergency services can respond accordingly.
In this article, we will discuss the recommended modifications and key points to be aware of when providing CPR to a pregnant woman in the UK, based on current medical guidelines and expert advice. This knowledge is crucial for anyone trained in CPR, as it may make the difference in saving the lives of both the expecting mother and her baby during a critical event.
Last reviewed: September 2026 — checked against Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines 2025.
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Understanding CPR in Pregnancy
Performing CPR on a pregnant woman may require slight adjustments in the technique to account for the mother and the unborn baby’s safety. The principles of CPR remain the same, but there are certain considerations to keep in mind.
During a cardiac arrest, the goal of CPR is to circulate oxygen-rich blood to the vital organs, including the brain and the heart. In pregnant women, it is crucial to also ensure adequate blood flow to the placenta and the fetus. Chest compressions should be performed with firm pressure in the centre of the chest at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute, as advised for any CPR patient.
Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use is considered safe for pregnant women, and it poses no harm to the unborn baby. If an AED is available, it should be used promptly to deliver shocks as needed.
The one adjustment that really matters is relieving aortocaval compression. From about 20 weeks of pregnancy, the weight of the uterus can press on the inferior vena cava — the main vein returning blood from the lower body to the heart — and on the aorta, which starves the heart of the blood it needs to pump. The Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines 2025 deal with this using manual left uterine displacement: the woman stays flat on her back on a firm surface while a second rescuer pushes the bump gently but firmly across to her left, and holds it there. Do not wedge a rolled-up towel, cushion or blanket under her right hip. Tilting the body makes effective chest compressions much harder, which is why manual displacement is preferred to a lateral tilt.
Modifications for Pregnant Women
When performing CPR on a pregnant woman, you should make a few modifications to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby. The key is to adapt your technique to accommodate the unique needs of a pregnant patient.
Firstly, it is important to inform emergency services that the person needing CPR is pregnant, so they can provide appropriate assistance and be prepared for the situation.
Use the standard hand position for chest compressions: the centre of the chest, on the lower half of the breastbone. The modifications the Resuscitation Council UK sets out for maternal cardiac arrest are about relieving aortocaval compression, not about moving your hands higher up the chest, so do not lose time hunting for a different landmark.
Keep her flat on her back on a firm surface and, if a second rescuer is available, have them perform manual left uterine displacement. This is not the same thing as a left lateral tilt, and the Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines 2025 prefer it precisely because tilting the body degrades the quality of chest compressions. To do it:
- Two-handed, kneeling on her right side: cup both hands around the right side of the bump and draw it upwards and across to her left, away from the midline.
- One-handed, kneeling on her left side: push the bump upwards and to the left with one hand.
- Hold it there. The displacement has to be maintained for the whole resuscitation, not done once, and you should lift the bump sideways rather than press down on the abdomen.
Do not put a wedge, pillow or rolled blanket under her right hip or back, and do not roll her onto her side. Compressions delivered on a tilted chest are far less effective.
If multiple rescuers are present, ensure that someone is responsible for rescuer-airway management, applying suction to aspirate vomit and inserting an airway when needed.
Lastly, be prepared to perform CPR for a longer duration, as it can take time for the woman’s body to react to the newly oxygenated blood due to the increased blood volume during pregnancy.
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Step-by-Step CPR Guide
Performing CPR on a pregnant woman is similar to performing CPR on any other individual, but with a few small adjustments. Follow these steps:
- Shake and Shout – Check that it is safe to approach, then check for a response: shake her shoulders gently and ask loudly whether she is alright. If there is no response at all, she is unresponsive.
- Call 999 immediately – Under the Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines 2025 you call 999 for any unresponsive person before you assess their breathing. Tell the call handler at once that she is pregnant, and how many weeks if you know. Put your phone on speaker so your hands stay free, send a bystander for the nearest defibrillator, and stay on the line.
- Open the airway and check breathing – Tilt her head back, lift her chin, and take no more than 10 seconds to look, listen and feel for normal breathing. Occasional gasps or slow, noisy breathing are not normal breathing; they are a sign of cardiac arrest. If she is not breathing normally, or you are unsure, start CPR — the call handler will help you decide.
- Positioning – Keep her flat on her back on a firm surface. If a second rescuer is there, have them manually displace the uterus to her left and hold it there throughout. Do not wedge anything under her right hip and do not tilt her.
- Chest Compressions – Place your hands in the centre of the chest, on the lower half of the breastbone, one on top of the other, and begin chest compressions. Push hard and fast, to a depth of 5-6 cm and at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute, letting the chest come all the way back up between compressions.
- Rescue Breaths – If you are trained and willing, give 2 rescue breaths after every 30 chest compressions (a ratio of 30:2). Tilt the head back, lift the chin, pinch the nose, and breathe into the mouth for about 1 second. Repeat this twice before continuing with chest compressions. If you are untrained, unable or unwilling to give rescue breaths, give continuous chest compressions with no breaks instead — hands-only CPR, which the Resuscitation Council UK recommends for exactly this situation.
- Use an AED – As soon as an AED becomes available, turn it on and follow the prompts. Ensure the woman’s chest is clear of any metal, including underwire bras and necklaces, before attaching the pads.
Continue CPR until medical assistance arrives, the woman shows signs of life, or you become too exhausted to continue.
Special Considerations for the UK
In the UK, efforts for effectively providing CPR to pregnant women remain consistent with global guidelines, with certain nuances to consider. It is crucial to follow the steps of CALL and PUSH: call 999 as soon as you find her unresponsive, then start chest compressions.
When performing CPR on a pregnant woman in the UK, take note of these specific considerations:
- From about 20 weeks of pregnancy, relieve aortocaval compression as early as possible and keep it relieved throughout the resuscitation. The Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines 2025 recommend manual uterine displacement to the left, with the woman lying flat on a firm surface, in preference to a left lateral tilt — a tilted chest makes it much harder to deliver effective compressions.
- In the UK, chest compressions should be administered at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute, to a depth of 5-6 cm. Trained rescuers should use a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio (30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths); anyone untrained or unwilling to give rescue breaths should give continuous compressions instead. This is in line with the Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines 2025 for adult basic life support, which UK training has had to follow since January 2026.
- It is important to relay to the 999 dispatcher that the woman experiencing cardiac arrest is pregnant. This allows the emergency services to be well-prepared for any specific requirements or special equipment needed upon arrival.
By following these guidelines and adapting standard CPR techniques to accommodate the needs of pregnant women, bystanders can increase the chances of survival for both the mother and the fetus in the UK setting.
Calling Emergency Services in the UK
When encountering a situation where a pregnant woman requires CPR, it’s crucial to call emergency services in the UK right away. To do this, dial 999 and request an ambulance.
As you speak with the call-taker, make sure to inform them that the woman requiring assistance is pregnant. This crucial piece of information will allow emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to prepare their response accordingly and arrive on scene with the right equipment and knowledge to handle the situation effectively.
While waiting for EMS to arrive, it’s important to begin providing CPR to the pregnant woman, following the proper techniques and modifications as needed. Continue to perform CPR until the ambulance arrives and professional help takes over.
Here are a few important bullet points when calling emergency services in the UK:
- Dial 999 to request an ambulance.
- Inform the call-taker about the woman’s pregnant status.
- Stay on the line and follow any guidance provided by the operator.
- Begin CPR immediately after the call and continue until help arrives.
By following these steps, you can ensure the best possible chance of survival for the pregnant woman and her unborn child. Remember, in cases of emergency, acting quickly and calling for help are essential actions to take.
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Post-CPR Care and Monitoring
Following the successful completion of CPR on a pregnant woman, it is crucial to provide appropriate post-CPR care and monitoring. This helps ensure proper recovery and helps reduce the risk of complications for both the mother and the unborn baby.
Upon the arrival of emergency services, they will take over the care of the pregnant woman, and will likely transport her to a hospital for further assessment and treatment. It is essential to provide the medical professionals with any pertinent details about the woman’s condition, including her pregnancy status and any unique complications she may have experienced.
During the period of hospitalisation, the healthcare team will monitor the mother and baby closely. Some key aspects of post-CPR care and monitoring may include:
- Assessing maternal vital signs – Regular checks of blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels, and other vital signs will be conducted to ensure the woman’s stability.
- Cardiac monitoring – Continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring of the mother’s heart may be performed to detect any abnormalities.
- Fetal heart monitoring – The healthcare team will also monitor the baby’s heart rate, using either an external or internal monitoring device, to ensure the baby’s well-being.
- Neurological assessment – The medical team may assess the neurological status of the mother to detect any neurological damage that may have occurred during the cardiac arrest.
- Optimising maternal positioning – The medical team may position the mother to minimise aortocaval compression and ensure optimal blood flow to the baby.
Throughout the recovery process, the healthcare team will work together to address any issues and provide the necessary interventions to ensure the best possible outcome for both the mother and her unborn child.
Conclusion
In summary, performing CPR on a pregnant woman requires a slightly different approach compared to standard CPR techniques. It is important to make the necessary adjustments to ensure the effectiveness of the resuscitation efforts and the safety of both the mother and the foetus.
When providing CPR to a pregnant woman, follow these essential steps:
- Check for a response, then call 999 straight away for any unresponsive woman — before checking her breathing — and tell the call handler she is pregnant
- Keep her flat on her back on a firm surface and manually displace the uterus to her left to relieve aortocaval compression, rather than tilting her or wedging her hip
- Give chest compressions in the centre of the chest, 5-6 cm deep at 100-120 per minute, with 2 rescue breaths after every 30 if you are trained and willing, and hands-only CPR if you are not
- Use an AED as soon as one is available — defibrillation is safe in pregnancy and should not be delayed
It is crucial for medical professionals and laypersons alike to be familiar with these guidelines in order to respond appropriately to a maternal cardiac arrest situation. Remember that the primary goal is to save both the mother and the foetus by optimising resuscitation efforts.
The Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines 2025 for special circumstances and the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Pregnancy guidance provide essential information on this topic. Regular training and education on these recommendations will help ensure a timely and effective response to maternal cardiac arrest situations.
See more on performing adult CPR and child CPR. Skills Training Group delivers CPR courses nationwide, please contact us for any of your training needs.
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