Final answer:
Following a normal delivery, if the umbilical cord is still pulsating, the newborn should be 2)kept at the level of the mother's vagina to ensure optimal blood flow and nutrient provision until natural occlusion occurs.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the umbilical cord is still pulsating following a normal delivery, the newborn baby should be positioned so that it is kept at the level of the mother's vagina. The umbilical cord contains blood vessels that continue to pulsate right after birth, which is a natural occurrence. Delaying the clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord allows for continued circulation of blood from the placenta to the baby, which can provide extra iron and nutrients. Once the pulsating stops, it typically indicates that the occlusion of the cord has occurred naturally, and the cord can be safely clamped and cut without disadvantaging the baby.
This is a crucial part of the adjustments of the infant at birth and postnatal stages. The first breath a newborn takes at birth dramatically alters the circulatory system, and the natural occlusion of the cord facilitates this change. Additionally, breastfeeding shortly after birth not only helps with establishing early nutrition but also assists in the postpartum process of involution, potentially reducing postpartum hemorrhage and aiding the mother's body in returning to its pre-pregnancy state.