What Is Delayed Cord Clamping And Is It Beneficial?

Let’s talk about Delayed Cord Clamping, delayed cord clamping benefits and also the Delayed Cord Clamping Risks to Consider. 🙌

What Is Delayed Cord Clamping

Delayed cord clamping means that doctors don’t immediately clamp and cut the umbilical cord. Instead, they allow extra time for the blood in the cord and placenta to flow to the baby. Eventually, the placenta, also known as afterbirth, detaches from the uterus and is also delivered.

For many years your babies umbilical cord was generally cut within the first 15 seconds after birth, regardless of if the baby was vigorous or not. It was just something that was done, in order, after the delivery of the baby. ⁣⁣Baby delivers…⁣⁣Clamp and cut the cord…⁣⁣No questions asked. ⁣⁣🤔
⠀⠀⁣
There have been countless studies done on the benefits of delaying clamping, and given the benefits to most newborns, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) now recommends a delay in umbilical cord clamping in vigorous term and preterm infants for at least 30–60 seconds after birth (although you may request more time). ⁣⁣

Delayed Cord Clamping Benefits

Here are some of the benefits of delayed clamping: (from @acog_org)⁣⁣

• In term babies: Increased hemoglobin levels at birth and improves iron stores in the first several months of life, which may have a favourable effect on developmental outcomes. ⁣⁣
• In preterm babies (even more important!): Improved transitional circulation, better establishment of red blood cell volume, decreased need for blood transfusion, and lower incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis and intraventricular hemorrhage.⁣⁣⠀⠀⁣

Delayed Cord Clamping Risks

So we have talked about the benefits but who should not have delayed cord clamping?⁣⁣

Some babies are born extremely high risk and the benefit of cutting the cord early and receiving immediate respiratory interventions outweigh the benefits of waiting to clamp the cord 30-60 seconds. ⁣⁣If your baby needs to be quickly ‘mobile’ to help facilitate appropriate intervention the cord should be clamped and cut promptly.
⠀⠀⁣
Definitely ask your provider about his/her thoughts on delayed cord clamping! Most providers are already on board with this valuable intervention and will help provide you with the most appropriate insights just for you?

Are you in the delayed Cord Clamp Camp? 😊

Let us know in our comments

Originally posted 2021-04-07 17:36:41.