What is the first step of Essential Intrapartum and Newborn Care (EINC)?

The first step of Essential Intrapartum and Newborn Care (EINC) is immediate and thorough drying of the baby. This is crucial because it helps to stimulate the newborn's transition to breathing air, regulates their body temperature, and reduces the risk of hypothermia. Upon birth, the newborn is wet and may be vulnerable to cold stress, which can lead to complications. Thorough drying not only promotes thermoregulation but also encourages skin-to-skin contact if the baby is placed on the mother’s chest immediately afterwards, aiding in bonding and breastfeeding initiation.

Properly-timed cord clamping, early skin-to-skin contact, and the initiation of breastfeeding are all important steps in neonatal care, but they follow the immediate demand of drying and warming the baby, highlighting the priority of addressing the newborn's temperature regulation first. Thus, thorough drying establishes a vital foundation for further processes in creating a safe and supportive environment for the neonate.