During a delivery, what should be done if the cord is wrapped around the infant’s neck?

The appropriate action when the umbilical cord is wrapped around the infant's neck is to loosen the cord if possible. This is important because a tight cord can restrict blood flow or oxygen to the infant during delivery, leading to complications. By gently loosening the cord, you can help ensure that the infant can be delivered safely and without additional complications.

In cases where the cord is wrapped around the neck, the first priority is to assess whether it can be safely released. If the cord is only loosely wrapped, you can slide it over the infant's head or neck. If it's tightly wrapped and cannot be easily loosened, then further interventions may be needed, but the focus remains on prioritizing the infant's safety and ensuring a successful delivery.

Choices such as immediate delivery without considering the cord or waiting for the infant to come out do not address the critical nature of the cord entanglement, which could lead to adverse outcomes. Clamping and cutting the cord should generally be a later step taken after delivery and only if necessary to manage the presentation and subsequent care of the infant.