During delivery, why should your hand be placed on the infant's head?

Placing your hand on the infant's head during delivery serves the important purpose of preventing an explosive delivery. An explosive delivery can occur if the infant emerges too quickly, which can lead to serious injury for both the baby and the mother. By providing gentle support and stabilization with your hand, you can help control the speed of the delivery, allowing for a more cautious and safe birth process. This technique helps minimize the risk of trauma to the baby’s head and ensures a smoother transition as the baby is delivered.

While supporting the baby's weight and preventing umbilical cord injury are important aspects of delivery, the primary focus of placing your hand on the head is to manage how the baby emerges from the birth canal effectively. Also, while assessing the baby's position can be a part of the delivery process, it is not the primary reason for making contact with the infant's head during the delivery.