What is the first priority when a newborn is born and is not breathing?

When a newborn is born and is not breathing, the immediate priority is to establish effective ventilation. This involves providing adequate airflow to the infant's lungs to ensure proper oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal. In cases of newborns who are not breathing, the lack of ventilation can lead to severe hypoxia and organ failure in a very short time, making prompt intervention critical.

Effective ventilation can be achieved using positive pressure ventilation via bag-mask ventilation. It is vital to open the airway, ensure proper positioning, seal the mask effectively, and initiate breaths. Without establishing ventilation quickly, even if other measures like administering medications or checking the heart rate are performed, the newborn's condition may rapidly deteriorate due to lack of oxygen.

While calling for additional medical help and checking the heart rate are important steps in the overall assessment and management of the newborn, they come after effective ventilation is established. The focus should always be on restoring normal breathing promptly, as this is essential to stabilize the newborn’s condition.