What should be done immediately after the delivery of a newborn?

Placing the baby on the mother's abdomen immediately after delivery is essential for several reasons. It promotes skin-to-skin contact, which helps to regulate the newborn's body temperature, facilitates bonding between the mother and the baby, and stimulates early breastfeeding. This practice also encourages the release of hormones that aid in contraction of the uterus and helps prevent excessive bleeding.

Skin-to-skin contact has been shown to have significant benefits for the newborn, including stabilization of heart rate and improved respiratory effort, which is particularly important for the transition period right after birth. Additionally, it provides a sense of security for the baby as they are being held close to the mother's warmth and heartbeat.

While cutting the umbilical cord is a necessary step that follows the stabilization of both the mother and baby, it is not the immediate action taken. CPR would only be relevant in the event of a compromised airway or lack of responsiveness in the newborn, which would not typically be the case immediately after a standard delivery. Bathing the baby is unnecessary right after birth and can wait until the baby's condition is stable and the mother is comfortable.