Parental anxiety and that of the medical staff surrounding the delivery of a baby with the prenatal diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) has potential impact on the family dynamics during the immediate postnatal period and is attributed to an urgent need to institute medical evaluation and intervention. We report our experiences with 21 newborns birth weight 2857± 424 gm; gestation: 35 to 42 weeks; 16 males, 5 females; 15/21 (71%) delivered by spontaneous vaginal route, in a population base of 8720 deliveries from 1993-1995. Apgar scores were >7 at 1 and 5 minutes in 19/21 and 20/21 newborns, respectively. Only 2 required resuscitation with bag and mask ventilation along with bicarbonate infusion (Cord pH of 6.8 and 7.12); all were cared for in room air with no oxygen supplementation and one was intubated electively for meconium aspiration. The age of transfer to ICN was 9 to 75 minutes (mean age 33.1 min), echocardiography was performed by 65 to 240 minutes (mean age 2.5 hours) and prostaglandin infusions commenced in 19/21 infants by mean age of 2.3 hours. Upon admission to ICN, 20/21 infants demonstrated stable hemodynamics and acid base status, without evidence of acidosis, respiratory arrest or hypotension. All were stabilized and electively transported for further surgical intervention by a mean age of 14.2 hours. In the delivery room, the duration of parental time involvement was dependent on physician/nursing staff discretion; 7/21 (33%) mothers attempted breast-feeding as compared to ≈ 75% of mothers in the well population. These data indicate that, in babies with HLHS, there is usually a reasonable period of hemodynamic stability following initial resuscitation. Furthermore, in a center experienced in the care of the newborn with HLHS, a baby who is determined to be stable can safely be allowed a period of private, relaxed, and non-intrusive family bonding in the delivery room prior to more intensive evaluation and intervention.