Not all newborn babies can breathe normally, some may experience asphyxia or lack of oxygen in the body which is an emergency that requires quick treatment to save their lives. Generally, midwives would give Positive Pressure Ventilation using a hood. Later, they are referred to higher level health services while still giving the ventilation along the journey.
The procedure suggests to use matras which is hard, flat, and warm. Unfortunately, not many midwives have special vehicles and tools to refer the patient. Positive Pressure Ventilation is done by carrying the baby due to the unavailability of special matras.
To respond to this problem, a group of UGM students have developed a tool to enable the referral of babies with asphyxia. Named as Tamaresi (abbreviation of Resuscitation Rescue Holder in Baby) the tool will allow baby referral in asphyxia emergency case.
Students of Midwifery, Hanny Afifah, Madinatul ‘Ilim, Arina Nursafrina Rahmatina, and Arini Yuni Lastuti, and accounting student Chairul Anis Aribah, under the supervision of lecturer Diah Wulandari, M.Keb, made the rescue holder.
Hanny Afifah said Tamaresi consisted of matras and baby wraps. “The tool not only serves for baby referral but also as portable baby matras,” she said on Tuesday (10/7).
Afifah added Tamaresi could be used to cover the baby whether they are on the matras or not. The matras can even be used as massage matras. “The surface which does not absorb water or oil is good to be used during massage,” she said.
Afifah said the tool was expected to enable midwives work as well as parents to help their baby if suffering from asphyxia after birth.