Sudden cardiac arrest is life-threatening. According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital each year. Sometimes, a bystander’s quick actions make all the difference.

But what happens if the person experiencing a cardiac arrest is pregnant?

Performing CPR is the most important action. However, many people hesitate to administer it, and women are less likely to receive CPR than men.

Throw in the complications of pregnancy, and many people don't know how to handle this emergency. It's intimidating because CPR on a pregnant woman involves two lives.

It's better to act to save a life than to do nothing. Learning the difference between regular CPR and CPR for a pregnant woman is important. Explore our tips and guidance on how to perform CPR on a pregnant woman.

Is Cardiac Arrest Common in Pregnancy?

Maternal cardiac arrest is uncommon but very threatening to the life of the mother and the fetus. During cardiac arrest, the heart is no longer beating properly. It has stopped delivering oxygen-rich blood to the brain and organs.

Oxygen deprivation is especially dangerous when you're pregnant because the fetus requires large amounts of oxygen. The body is also already straining with increased blood flow to meet the needs of the growing baby.

Due to its extreme risk to pregnant women, maternal cardiac arrest requires immediate treatment. CPR helps keep the blood pumping, and an automated external defibrillator (AED) machine may restart the heart.

What causes maternal cardiac arrest?

The causes of maternal cardiac arrest sometimes stem from the pregnancy itself. Other times, they're due to a prior condition. These causes can include:

• Arrhythmia or heart valve problems.
• High blood pressure.
• Hemorrhage.
• Pulmonary embolism.
• Recent injuries from surgery or other trauma.
• Sepsis or infections.
• Stroke.

Is Performing CPR on a Pregnant Woman Different?

Yes — but the basic steps are the same. First and foremost, immediately call 911. Second, perform CPR. And finally, use an AED.

Pregnancy comes with its own health complications, from hormones to other physical changes. The person's body is already under additional strain from the fetus and is at greater risk from lack of oxygen and blood flow.

How to Give CPR to a Pregnant Person

Here is our step-by-step emergency response guide on how to give CPR to a pregnant person who's in cardiac arrest.

Step 1: Call 911

Ask medical professionals for help immediately in this life-threatening emergency. Tell whomever you speak to that the person is pregnant.

In pregnant patients, you may need to get them to the hospital as quickly as possible for an emergency C-section. Make sure to call 911 immediately and don’t delay initiating resuscitation.

Step 2: Start chest compressions

Avoid applying pressure to their abdomen or lower body. Place your hands on the middle of the chest and make these compressions at least 2 inches deep. Using two hands can give you more control over compressions.

Administer about 100 compressions per minute. Many people use songs like the Bee Gees song “Stayin’ Alive” to help keep a consistent rhythm.

If you have a second person, manually displace the uterus to the left to push it off the heart's great vessels. This will improve blood return to the heart. Otherwise, the heavy uterus will impact blood flow and make CPR less effective than in a nonpregnant person.

Step 3: Check for airway obstructions

Look for fluid coming out of their nose or mouth without any coughing. Vomit or another substance can create an obstruction.

Clear the airway before moving to the next steps. Try tilting their chin forward while tilting their head back at a 45-degree angle with your thumbs underneath their jawline.

Step 4: Give mouth-to-mouth

Providing rescue breathing may help pregnant individuals more than it does nonpregnant people. Health care personnel should focus on two mouth-to-mouth breaths between every 30 compressions.

However, if you only feel comfortable providing compression-only CPR, that's OK for bystanders and lay first responders. Performing compressions without rescue breaths is better than doing nothing at all.

Step 5: Use an AED

Yes, it's OK to use an AED on a pregnant person. The placement of the pads is identical to what it is for someone who isn't pregnant.

AED stands for automated external defibrillator. It restarts the heart by delivering a shock. First responders can do this upon arrival. But if there is one available, anyone can follow the instructions. In general, the steps go something like this:

• Expose the bare chest.
• Place one pad below the right collarbone and another below the left armpit.
• Let the device analyze the heartbeat without touching the patient’s chest.
• If a shock is necessary, don't touch the body and push the button to shock.
• Continue CPR with the pads still in place.
• The device will reanalyze the heartbeat after two minutes and administer another shock if necessary.

If there's no AED, continue with CPR until help arrives.

Taking the time to learn what to do in an emergency can help save lives. Stay up to date with your CPR training because bystanders can make a difference.