Immediately following delivery of a newborn's head, what is the next step in assisting delivery?

• A. Assist with delivery of the shoulder
• B. Suction mouth and nose
• C. Rotate baby's head into anatomical position
• D. Apply pressure on mom's stomach

Answer: (A)

After the head is delivered, the body must come through the birth canal in sequence. The next step is to help deliver the shoulders, which completes the birth. Supporting the head and guiding the shoulders out with gentle traction as contractions continue ensures a smooth delivery and reduces the risk of injury to both mother and baby.

Suctioning the mouth and nose is important for airway clearance, but it is not the immediate next action to complete delivery; and applying abdominal pressure on the mother is not appropriate and can be dangerous. Rotating the head isn’t needed once the head has already passed.