Nancy Coffin-Romig, an obstetrics professor in the School of Nursing, formerly was a labor and delivery nurse. She's helped deliver some 750 babies.

1) Stay calm and call for assistance. Babies have been born since the beginning of time, and always manage to make their way into the world.

2) If the mother feels the urge to push, have her blow through her mouth. This will slow down the process, because she can't physically blow and push at the same time.

3) Lay the mother on a flat surface. Remove her undergarments and check for the baby's head. Lay a blanket, towel or jacket where the baby will come out and reassure her in a calm but firm voice.

4) As the baby's head comes out, gently guide it. The baby's body will follow.

5) Wrap the baby in something dry. Turn the mom on her side, and have her place the baby against her skin to keep him warm.

6) A crying baby is good. The more the baby cries the better, because it means he's getting oxygen. If the baby isn't crying, rub his back to stimulate him. If the baby still doesn't cry, look in the mouth to see if there's an obstruction and, using your pinky finger, gently sweep it out of the mouth.

7) Don't do anything with the umbilical cord. Leave it attached and wait for the placenta to deliver. Typically, this takes 20 to 30 minutes. Then, wrap the placenta in something clean, have the mother breast feed the baby and wait for medical assistance to arrive.