Oklahoma is one of the few states that do not have a law requiring prenatal centers to teach mothers infant CPR and First aid.

Senator Jessica Garvin filed Senate Bill 1462 to honor a friend who lost her newborn and felt that her daughter would have survived if the prenatal centers knew what to do.

The pals thought it over as a duo and decided new legislation would change the narrative for other mothers.

About Senate Bill 1462

The bill requires all birthing centers to provide hands-on infant CPR and first aid training. The training must be provided at least three times throughout pregnancy and once postpartum, as well as online training materials available to parents throughout their pregnancy.

“I think it’s just important to educate people on what they need to know,” said Garvin. “Prenatal care is critical, but I think having those extra resources available for moms so they can learn how to properly care for their babies before they are born is incredibly important.”

Garvin said Senate Bill 1462  is meant to help prevent infant deaths and injuries.

Oklahoma Maternal Mortality Rates

The maternal mortality rates are overwhelming, so teaching mothers infant CPR and First Aid is a must-do. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that between 2012 and 2017, 744 babies in the U.S. died from sudden unexpected infant death (SUID).

SUID is a term researchers use when a baby dies unexpectedly during sleep or if there are no signs of illness or trauma seen on an autopsy report.

In Oklahoma alone, there have been 31 SUIDs reported from 2012 through 2018, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s Vital Statistics office. Oklahoma’s maternal mortality rate is one of the highest in the country.

According to a March 2018 report by Counting Dead Women, Oklahoma ranks sixth among states with high maternal mortality rates — even though its population only accounts for less than one percent of those who died during pregnancy or childbirth between 2008 and 2012.

Teach Mothers Infant CPR and First Aid: What Kind of Training Should Mothers Receive?

SB 1462 would require any person who provides classes for pregnant women to include instruction in:

  • Infant CPR and first aid,
  • Shaken baby syndrome
  • Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

The bill requires at least two hours of training for expectant mothers before giving birth.

The training must include:

  • How to perform CPR on children under age 1,
  • How to administer an epinephrine auto-injector and
  • How to use a breathing device for infants known as a pulse oximeter.

It would also require all facilities to provide prenatal care training in infant CPR and first aid within the first 24 hours of receiving a patient’s medical history.

Who Should Teach Mothers Infant CPR and First Aid?

The bill requires the training to be provided by a licensed medical professional or an individual certified as an instructor by any organization that provides certification in neonatal resuscitation or infant CPR.

The bill also requires each center to provide equipment during these classes. This includes an infant mannequin or doll and an infant CPR mask.

There are still some details that need to be worked out before the bill becomes law— but the measure appears likely to pass easily through both chambers of the legislature this session.

How far is the Bill?

The bill, which passed the House and now heads to the Senate for consideration, would require all pregnancy centers to teach mothers CPR and first aid. Pregnancy centers are nonprofits that provide free services to pregnant women and new mothers.

“This is something we can do to ensure that more babies are saved,” said Rep. Jessica Farrar, D-Houston. “We know infants die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). We know that infants die from choking.”

Farrar said she supports the bill because it is saving lives in Florida. She said pregnancy centers there have been teaching moms how to perform CPR on their infants since 2009 without any problems or complaints from parents or providers.

What are the Benefits if we Teach Mothers Infant CPR and First Aid?

According to proposers, expectant mothers need to know how to prevent illness in case of emergencies. The state currently has no laws on teaching infant CPR and first aid.

While many organizations offer classes in infant CPR and first aid, they don’t tend to focus on the specific needs of pregnant women, according to Dr. Kelly Wardell at Integris Health Women’s Center in Oklahoma City, who spoke with Fox 25 News.

Garvin said she proposed the bill because she wants to ensure women have basic knowledge about infant care before bringing their newborns home from the hospital. That way, they will know what steps to take in an emergency if something goes wrong.

“We have had so many babies die because of lack of knowledge,” Garvin said Thursday afternoon after meeting Stitt’s staff at the Capitol Building in Oklahoma City. “This is just so important.”

Garvin added that despite this lack of training in hospitals, women still have to learn how to change diapers and feed infants after leaving the hospital. She said mothers must know what to do in an emergency or other issues such as seizures or choking episodes.

What Does this Bill mean for the Other States?

SB 1462 would require that all licensed providers of prenatal and postnatal care provide instruction on infant CPR and first aid within six months after birth. The bill does not require infant CPR training for children who are not born in this state or whose parents are not residents of this state at the time of birth.

But if SB 1462 becomes law, it could set a precedent for other states with similar legislation. But it’s unclear how many expectant parents take advantage of these classes.

According to a poll by The Oklahoman newspaper in 2013, less than half of respondents said they received first aid training from their doctor’s office or hospital.

Only 3% said they had taken a CPR course offered by their employer or community organization; another 3% had learned at home through books or videos; while 40% said they had never been trained in any way at all.

Teach Mothers Infant CPR and First Aid Can Reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

The rate of infant death in the US is higher than it should be. Although many factors contribute to this statistic, one of them is that there is an inadequate number of pregnant women who know how to perform CPR on an infant.

According to American Heart Association (AHA), only 32% of all mothers know how to perform CPR on children.

This statistic is even more alarming when you consider that most sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) deaths occur during sleep time. The AHA also states that up to 95% of SIDS cases happen while sleeping and that “…most SIDS deaths occur during sleep on a soft surface such as a couch or bed.”

Final Words on Why We Should Teach Mothers Infant CPR and First Aid

If you are pregnant, it is crucial to prepare for any emergency that may arise during your pregnancy. One way to do this is to go to centers that teach expectant mothers infant CPR and first aid.