If an infant is born without crying or movement after shoulder dystocia, what is the first action the resuscitation team should take?

When an infant is born without crying or movement, particularly after experiencing shoulder dystocia, the first action the resuscitation team should take is preparing for resuscitation at the mother's abdomen. This is crucial because immediate assessment and initiation of resuscitative measures can significantly impact the infant’s outcome.

Resuscitation at the mother’s abdomen allows for timely intervention while ensuring the infant has not yet been separated from the maternal environment. Doing so can also facilitate skin-to-skin contact, which is important for thermal stability and can help with bonding immediately post-delivery, if the infant can be stabilized quickly.

In the context of shoulder dystocia, where there may be concerns about the infant's airway and overall condition, quick steps to assess and provide ventilation support are critical. This prioritization reflects established guidelines that emphasize the importance of maintaining a secure and effective resuscitation environment in close proximity to the mother.

Other options may delay critical interventions or may not address the immediate need for resuscitation as effectively. For instance, suctioning at the perineum can be appropriate in certain contexts, but in an infant who is not breathing or moving, preparation for direct resuscitation is more pressing.