In the immediate care of a term newborn, which action is performed first after delivery?

• A. Clamp the cord eight inches from the abdomen.
• B. Suction his nose.
• C. Dry and stimulate him.
• D. Suction his mouth.

Answer: (C)

The first action is to dry and stimulate the newborn. Drying helps prevent heat loss and keeps the baby warm, which is crucial for a smooth transition after birth. Warming the infant supports respiration, and gentle rubbing or stimulation encourages breathing and crying, helping establish effective oxygenation. Suctioning the airway isn’t routinely done in a vigorous term newborn and is reserved for when there are secretions or an obstruction. Clamping the cord is done after birth as part of initial stabilization, not as the immediate first step. So drying and stimulating first sets the baby up for a successful adaptation to life outside the womb.