Delayed Cord Clamping! Precious minutes that could change your baby’s life!
Why on earth would anyone want to cut off a newborn’s oxygen supply, as soon as they are born? Well, the answer is that it can certainly speed up this part of birth! From a medical point of view what is most important, is a live, healthy baby. Delayed cord clamping can seem like an unnecessary ‘delay’ in a busy hospital Delivery Suite.
What is Delayed Cord Clamping?
- Waiting for the cord to stop pulsating (usually takes a few minutes)
- Or, leaving the cord attached until placenta is birthed
- Or, leaving cord, placenta and baby connected until it separates naturally (generally 2-4 days). This is a Lotus Birth
What are the benefits for baby?
- 33% more blood
- decreased risk of anaemai
- more oxygen carrying proteins (haemoglobin)
- more stem cells
- more oxygen to baby’s vital organs, at the most important time, i.e. when they use their lungs for the first time to breathe
- improved iron status for the next 3-6mths.
The Cochrane review, below, confirms with more than 15 trials and involving 4000 women and infant pairs, there is significant benefits to delayed cord clamping.
http://Early cord clamping versus delayed cord clamping or cord milking for preterm babies – See more at: http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD003248/early-cord-clamping-versus-delayed-cord-clamping-or-cord-milking-for-preterm-babies#sthash.3w26FW4q.dpuf
Top 4 tips for making sure you get what you want for your baby?
1. Have a doula who is skilled in negotiating
2. Have a well constructed birth plan
3. Make sure you’re caregiver understands and supports your wishes for delayed cord clamping
4. Only Mum & Dad to touch baby at birth! Bring baby up close to your face, touch and connect and wait.
