What typically occurs immediately after the infant is born?

The process immediately following the birth of an infant is crucial for the well-being of both the baby and the mother. While the cutting of the umbilical cord is indeed a standard procedure carried out shortly after birth, this action signifies the baby's transition from relying on the placenta for oxygen and nutrition to independent functioning. It is essential to provide the newborn with a clear pathway for breathing and connection to the external environment instead of the placental circulatory system.

The delivery of the placenta occurs shortly after the infant is born but is not the immediate event. Breastfeeding typically starts later, as the newborn is often assessed and given time to transition from the womb. The rupture of membranes, commonly referred to as "the water breaking," is usually an event that takes place prior to labor and delivery, not immediately after the infant is born.

Thus, cutting the umbilical cord is the correct answer as it is one of the first actions that healthcare providers take after the infant's birth to ensure proper care and transition for the newborn.