What immediate action should EMTs take to maintain newborn temperature post-birth?

To maintain a newborn's temperature post-birth, providing immediate warmth is essential. Newborns are vulnerable to hypothermia due to their high surface area-to-volume ratio and limited ability to regulate their temperature. After birth, they can lose heat rapidly in the cooler environment outside the womb, which can lead to complications such as hypoglycemia and increased risk of respiratory distress.

Immediate warmth can be achieved through several methods, such as skin-to-skin contact with the mother, using a radiant warmer, or wrapping the baby in a warm blanket. This action helps ensure the newborn stabilizes their body temperature effectively and reduces the risk of thermal stress.

Other options, such as removing all clothing for assessment, checking fetal heart rate, or delaying interventions while waiting, do not prioritize the immediate need to maintain the newborn's temperature, which is critical after birth. Focusing on warmth first is a foundational practice in neonatal care to support the baby's transition to life outside the womb.