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Imminent birth — DipIMC MCQ

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EasyPaediatric and Obstetric EmergenciesImminent birthDipIMC

A multiparous woman at 40 weeks is in a lay-by with crowning visible during contractions. The nearest obstetric unit is 25 minutes away. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: B — Prepare for delivery at scene with neonatal warming and resuscitation readiness

Option B is correct because Crowning with imminent birth is safer to manage at scene than attempting urgent transport during delivery. Option C is less appropriate because oxygen may be supportive, but it does not address the defining time-critical problem first; option D is less appropriate because vascular access is useful, but it should not delay the immediate priority. Option E is less appropriate because it is plausible in a different scenario but suboptimal for the features described; option A is less appropriate because delay would increase clinical risk. Clinical pearl: in DipIMC-style questions, the best answer is the intervention that changes outcome earliest in the pre-hospital phase.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines; Resuscitation Council UK; PROMPT principles