What is the primary reason for expediting the delivery of the placenta?

The primary reason for expediting the delivery of the placenta is to prevent maternal infection. After the birth of the baby, there is a risk of infection developing in the mother, especially if the placenta remains in the uterus for an extended period. This condition can lead to serious complications such as postpartum hemorrhage or infection. By facilitating the timely delivery of the placenta, healthcare providers minimize the potential for these infections and ensure the mother's health is safeguarded.

While other considerations like reducing delivery time or easing infant pain may arise in childbirth, they do not directly address the critical concern of maternal health that is tied to the delivery of the placenta. Ensuring an adequate oxygen supply is also important before and during birth, but it is specifically the aftercare of the placenta that relates most directly to preventing infection.