Choking in Pregnancy
Adapted chest thrusts for choking adults who are pregnant or obese
Step by Step
For a choking person who is pregnant, in a wheelchair, or too large for abdominal thrusts, use chest thrusts instead. Stand behind them, place your arms under the armpits, and put one fist against the lower half of the breastbone, grasping it with the other hand. Pull sharply inward, trying to squeeze the chest, up to 5 times. Alternate with up to 5 back blows between the shoulder blades, checking the mouth after each. Call emergency services early if the blockage does not clear quickly, and keep alternating until help arrives or the person becomes unresponsive, at which point start CPR. Anyone who has received chest thrusts should be examined by a medical professional afterwards for bruising or injury.
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