Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue VALOROUS UNIT AWARD VALOROUS MERIT AWARD

Engine 513

Engine 526

Engine and Medic 526 responded for a 34-year-old female pregnant with twins at 35 weeks’ gestation and in a breech presentation. This occurs in less than 5% of pregnancies and is even more rare for units in the field to face. Upon arrival units were met with the patient laying on the floor and one foot presenting from the vaginal canal. The mother was in active labor with contractions approximately two minutes apart and a strong urge to push. It was attempted to have the patient not to push and initiate rapid transport to the hospital. While moving the patient downstairs a second foot presented from the vaginal canal. Additional medic units were requested and company 526 prepared for imminent delivery. The baby was delivered all the way to the neck with the

Medic 526 baby’s head becoming stuck. EMS was able to remove pressure from the baby’s head and create space for the umbilical cord while coaching the mother to keep pushing. A baby girl was delivered at 0226 with a good prognosis. The second baby was palpated and found to be in a lateral position to the birthing canal. The baby’s care was transferred to Medic 513 unit for care. The mother was rushed to the hospital with advanced life support procedures performed during transport. Shortly after arrival to the hospital the second child was born with the help of Sentara Labor and Delivery staff. These unit’s operated tremendously in a situation that many EMS providers have only read about in textbooks.