Health Workers & Frontline Stories

Essential Equipment Every African Birth Attendant Should Carry

June 21, 2025
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Saving lives begins with being prepared—every delivery, every time.

Skilled birth attendants play a vital role in reducing maternal and newborn mortality across Africa. Whether serving in a clinic, rural outpost, or at-home birth, preparedness is critical. Carrying the right tools helps ensure a safe, hygienic, and effective response to routine deliveries and life-threatening emergencies.

Below is a comprehensive list of essential tools every birth attendant should have in their delivery kit, with clinical rationale and cultural considerations for resource-limited settings.

🔹 1. Clean Delivery Kit (CDK)

What it includes:

Sterile gloves
Razor blade or scalpel
Cord ties or clamps
Soap
Plastic sheet
Gauze or clean cloths

Why it matters: Prevents infections like neonatal sepsis and maternal puerperal sepsis.
Pathophysiology: Birth-related infections are among the leading causes of maternal and newborn deaths; clean hands and tools interrupt pathogen transmission.

🔹 2. Blood Pressure Monitor and Stethoscope

Purpose: Detects pre-eclampsia, hypertension, and maternal shock.
Why it matters: Early detection of high blood pressure can prevent fatal complications like eclampsia.
Use case: Manual or digital BP cuffs with a stethoscope are vital in all birth settings.

🔹 3. Fetal Doppler or Pinard Horn

Purpose: Monitors fetal heartbeat during labor.
Why it matters: Helps detect fetal distress and prevent birth asphyxia.
Low-tech option: Pinard horns are affordable, reusable, and effective in low-resource settings.

🔹 4. Sterile Scissors or Scalpel

Purpose: Used for cutting the umbilical cord or performing episiotomies if needed.
Hygiene tip: Should be sterilized or single-use to prevent neonatal tetanus.

🔹 5. Cord Clamps or Clean Ties

Purpose: Prevents bleeding from the umbilical stump and reduces infection risk.
Why it matters: Inappropriate cord care is a major source of neonatal infection in rural areas.

🔹 6. Suction Device (Bulb or Penguin Suction)

Purpose: Clears newborn’s airway to prevent asphyxia.
Pathophysiology: Newborns failing to breathe after birth need immediate airway clearance to ensure oxygenation.

🔹 7. Neonatal Resuscitation Bag and Mask (Ambu Bag)

Why it matters: Resuscitation within the first “golden minute” can save newborns with birth asphyxia.
Training required: Birth attendants must be trained in Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) or similar protocols.

🔹 8. Uterotonic Medication (e.g., Oxytocin, Misoprostol)

Purpose: Prevents and treats postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)—the leading cause of maternal death in Africa.
Form: Injectable oxytocin or oral misoprostol (more heat-stable).

🔹 9. Thermometer

Why it matters: Detects maternal or neonatal fever, indicating infection or sepsis.
Digital or mercury-based: Depending on availability and budget.

🔹 10. Sterile Gloves and Face Mask

Why it matters: Personal protective equipment (PPE) protects both the attendant and patient.
Pathogen control: Critical in areas with high HIV or hepatitis prevalence.

🔹 11. Flashlight or Headlamp

Why it matters: In homes or facilities without reliable electricity, proper lighting is essential for safe delivery and postpartum care.

🔹 12. Clean Towels and Blankets

Purpose: Drying and wrapping the newborn to prevent hypothermia.
Cultural tip: Encourage families to provide a clean cloth, but have extras in the kit.

🔹 13. Mother-Baby Health Card or Register

Purpose: Record vital information like delivery time, birth weight, APGAR score, and immunizations.
Public health benefit: Enables follow-up and contributes to national health data systems.

🔹 14. Hand Sanitizer or Alcohol-Based Hand Rub

Why it matters: Ensures hand hygiene in areas where clean water is limited.

🔹 15. Emergency Referral Plan + Phone or Radio

Purpose: Communication tool to call for transport or refer critical cases.
Why it matters: Delays in referral are a leading factor in maternal deaths.

📦 Optional but Recommended Add-ons:

Baby weighing scale
Chlorhexidine gel for cord care
Thermal cap for newborn
Umbilical cord cutter
Injectable antibiotics
Delivery drapes

🌍 Final Thoughts

A well-prepared birth attendant is a life-saving asset in every African community. Equipping them with a basic, affordable kit can dramatically reduce deaths from preventable complications. Governments, NGOs, and community health programs must ensure frontline workers are trained and supplied with these critical tools.

🔗 Need help creating a birth kit supply chain or training program?
Visit https://doctorsexplain.org or reach out for implementation support tailored to your region.