Delayed Cord Clamping ~ Not just a fad

(if you are viewing this blog on Facebook, please go to www.childbirth today.blogspot.com to view the video)


A review of current medical literature (2005-2010) finds overwhelming recommendations that late cord clamping can be advantageous for newborns by improving iron status and does not increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage (Cochrane Database Syst Review. 2008 Apr 16;(2):CD004074.). A 2007 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that delay clamping in full term babies is beneficial to the newborn and the increase in polycythemia was benign. (Journal of the American Medical Association 2007 Mar 21;297(11):1241-52. Hutton EK, Hassan ES “Late vs early clamping of the umbilical cord in full-term neonates: systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials”.)

When looking at the effect of placentofetal transfusion on cerebral oxygenation in preterm infants, delayed clamping of the umbilical cord actually improved cerebral oxygenation in these infants in the first 24 hours. (Pediatrics. 2007 Mar;119(3):455-9).

Finally, an article in the British Medical Journal addressed concerns that delayed cord clamping could not only increase polycythemia but also cause hyperbilirubinaemia (abnormally high levels of red blood cells and bile pigments in the bloodstream, often leading to jaundice). However, trials show this is not the case. (British Medical Journal 2007, August 17 18;335(7615):312-3. Weeks, A. “Umbilical Cord Clamping After Birth”).


If you want to show your clients this same video, download it to your laptop or notebook by using Real Player.  Or if you do not wish to do that, use your fetal doll model with cord and placenta to show them a live demonstration of the same.  What a tremendous learning opportunity!