What role does a midwife play in neonatal resuscitation?

In neonatal resuscitation, the midwife's primary role is to provide immediate care to the newborn as required. This can include assessing the infant's condition right after birth, managing airway and breathing support, and initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary. The prompt intervention can be critical for newborns who present with difficulties such as poor respiratory effort or heart rate issues immediately following delivery.

While providing emotional support to parents and ensuring an optimal delivery are important aspects of a midwife's responsibilities throughout the perinatal period, these functions become secondary when immediate life-saving actions are required for the newborn. The role of managing the entire labor process may often be shared or collaborated with other healthcare professionals and is not limited solely to the midwife, especially during critical situations like neonatal resuscitation. The key focus during resuscitation is on the newborn's health and the actions needed to stabilize their condition.