…way you would during any other cardiac arrest.
Expose the chest, apply the pads according to the AED instructions, and follow its prompts.
Good-quality chest compressions remain the immediate priority.
ANZCOR also advises that for a noticeably pregnant woman, if enough rescuers are available once CPR is underway, padding may be placed under the right hip to tilt the hips approximately 15–30 degrees to the left while keeping the shoulders flat.
But this must not compromise the quality of chest compressions.
The message for first aiders is simple: Pregnant + unresponsive + not breathing normally = CPR and AED. Don’t delay.
Tomorrow we move from using AEDs to something much bigger—helping more New Zealanders gain the confidence to save a life.
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Acknowledgement
We fact-check data and information against recognised sources, including the New Zealand Resuscitation Council, Health Navigator New Zealand, St John, and other recognised entities specialising in the specific subject content. Protocols vary, and we note differences where necessary.