DELAYED CORD CLAMPING

@Organic.Gannett Cord Clamping Highlight 

The umbilical cord is the baby’s lifeline throughout pregnancy. It delivers oxygen and nutrients to the baby and continues to do so after delivery.

We began cutting cords immediately in the 1960s because it was thought that it reduced the mother’s risk of hemorrhage. We now know this is not the case. 

Benefits of DCC:

👍🏼Anywhere from 25-40% of the baby’s blood volume is in the cord and placenta post birth. The umbilical cord also hosts the most abundant and purest form of stem cells. For an average 8lb baby, this means that up to 125mL of blood (1/3 of its volume) and millions of stem cells will not be transferred to the baby if DCC is not implemented.

👍🏼Decreases risk of anemia by increasing blood volume and iron stores. Babies have shown to have significantly higher levels of iron months and even years later with DCC.

👍🏼DCC is VERY beneficial for preterm infants. It reduces risk of brain bleeds, increases cerebral oxygenation, decreases necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), decreases the need for blood transfusions, decreases days with oxygen needed, and leads to fewer heart problems. Preemies are often whisked away quickly for respiratory support while denying them natures greatest respiratory support right after birth. That blood and oxygen from the cord is exactly what that baby needs and studies conclusively show REDUCED infant mortality for preemies with DCC. Providers can work on the baby with the cord unclamped in most situations. In the vast majority of emergency cases, DCC is still usually feasible. 

👍🏼Studies have shown better fine motor skills and neuro development in children several years later with DCC. Recent studies have shown increased iron and brain myelin (white matter) in the brain regions important for development in kids with DCC. 

Waiting AT LEAST 60 seconds to clamp the cord is so beneficial, but ideally it’s best to wait until the cord turns white and stops pulsing completely (its estimated that after 1 minute, the baby gets 50% of the cord blood and 90% after 3 minutes).

Yes, DCC can still be performed with a c section and with skin to skin. 

Delayed cord cutting is normal. Everything else is premature cutting.

I’m trying to change the way I speak about “cord blood” because our language matters and influences how we believe and behave. It’s not cord blood any more than the blood currently in your toe is “toe blood” or if you go to donate blood they tap into “arm blood.” It’s YOUR blood! The blood in the human body is mobile and doesn’t just stay in one part and the same goes for our babies.

🩸It’s not the cord’s blood, it’s the baby’s blood.🩸

That 1/3 of blood still circulating in the placenta and cord at birth is THE BABY’S BLOOD. The cord is the beautiful delivery device but the blood doesn’t belong to the cord nor is it meant to stay there. The baby needs all their blood for optimal health, oxygenation, iron stores, circulation, clotting, stem cell transfer, and more. 

Study after study shows what should be common sense: A baby does best when they have all their blood. It sounds almost ridiculous when we put it that way, right? I do best when I have all my blood, too 😅

There should be no rush and the cord should not be clamped or cut until it appears white, limp, and no more blood is pulsing through. When it’s left alone, the cord technically doesn’t even need to be clamped since it clamps itself and nothing will come out if it’s empty.

Along the same lines, I now try to use the term “optimal” or “physiological cord clamping” rather than “delayed.” Delayed implies that cutting immediately is the biological norm when really, we should be seeing immediate clamping and cutting as intervention. 

It takes approximately 17 *years* for evidence-based practice to actually be implemented in hospitals. (Think about that for a moment...😳) So make sure your provider clearly knows not to clamp until you say so. It’s also good to make sure that the cord and placenta go where you want them to, not sold or donated for research or to pharm or cosmetic companies without your consent.

🤍🤍🤍

#madeforthisbirth #birth#birthmatters #birthplan#pregnancy #doula#birthdoula #motherhood#cordclamping#delayedcordclamping#physiologicalbirth#evidencebasedcare#humandignity

After your baby is born, the umbilical cord, which delivers blood, oxygen, and nutrients to your baby in utero and connects your baby to you, continues to pulsate, bringing more blood to your baby as it begins to transition to life outside the womb. 

Immediate cord clamping deprives babies of 200 mls of blood. Maybe that doesn’t sound like much, but what if you knew that without that 200 mls of blood, the baby only has 400 mls, instead of a total of 600 mls? By practicing delayed cord clamping your baby could receive up to 30% more blood. 

SEE SECOND SLIDE FOR FACTS. 

There are different definitions of delayed cord clamping. Best case would be to wait to clamp until the umbilical cord stops pulsing and turns white, and the placenta is delivered without intervention.

Placenta delivery:

Average time for placenta delivery is 10-45 minutes with an average of 20 minutes. When it’s ready, your uterus will contract and you will feel the urge to push out your placenta. There is no need to rush this or force the placenta out by pulling on it. Pulling on the cord to remove the placenta prematurely increases the risk of maternal hemorrhage.

Each of my home births I have practiced delayed cord clamping. It is an easy and natural part of birth that doesn’t require any intervention. My baby is born into my arms, and I get to soak up those magical moments waiting for my body to finish its work. The cord turns white, my body begins to contract, and I feel the urge to push (15-20 minutes after my baby is born). My midwives make sure it is completely intact (no little bits are left inside of me that could cause complications), then when I’m ready to get out of the tub, we clamp and cut the cord.

As a mother and advocate for yourself and your baby, you are allowed to ask for your birth to be handled in a specific way. Knowledge is power. Know your options, get your birth support team on board, make sure your HCP knows what you want and is willing to support you. 

What has your experience with cord clamping been? #erinsbirthtalks

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