Immediately after birth, it is recommended to dry the baby and check if he/she is breathing or crying. When newborns do not breathe or do not cry spontaneously after complete drying, they should be stimulated by rubbing the back 2 to 3 times before the cord clamping. The drying procedure should be gentle, on the back, with a clean, dry compress.
If after rubbing the back 2 to 3 times the baby does not breathe or cry, clamping of the umbilical cord is recommended to initiate positive pressure-ventilation within the first postnatal minute.
Mouth and nose suctioning is only recommended if secretions are observed, otherwise routine mouth and nose suctioning is not recommended as it may delay positive pressure ventilation.
In births with meconium-stained amniotic fluid, when the infant is not breathing or not crying spontaneously, tracheal suctioning and suctioning of the mouth and nose are recommended before initiating positive pressure ventilation.
