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07.10.08, 06:31 AM General Topics
37 replies
Has anyone delayed cutting the cord after birth, even by a few minutes? Going to approach this topic at a prenatal today and just wondering what the reaction will be and how usual it is. [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 07.10.08, 06:31 AM Flag
 

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why would you do this? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 06:35 AM Flag
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lots of studies indicating that the transfusion of cord blood the baby gets in the minutes after birth, through the umbilical cord, are highly beneficial to the baby. (Higher hematocrit levels, less anemia even months later, etc.) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 06:36 AM Flag
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I never heard of this but it sounds like a no-brainer, what Dr. wouldn't want this? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 06:40 AM Flag
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np- doctors are very resistant to it. I can't figure out why either, except for being in a hurry. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 06:41 AM Flag
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bingo, but that is terrible if true [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 06:41 AM Flag
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What studies? I have not heard of this. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 07:38 AM Flag
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so google it. The studies are very easily findable. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 08:10 AM Flag
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I left the cord for more than 20 minutes, but it was a homebirth, and one of the reasons I planned a homebirth. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 06:38 AM Flag
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OP, it's true that there are studies, so my recc is to print some of them out and bring them with you to have this conversation. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 06:46 AM Flag
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I don't think waiting really matters...honestly I'm sure the birth experience is shocking enough for the kid that he isn't going to notice that extra few minutes attached or not attached to the cord. That said I remember pondering these types of things when I was having my first and wish I had channeled my energy in more productive directions [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 07:22 AM Flag
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that is the most absurd thing I've ever heard. YOu hardly need to waste a lot of energy to make small, positive, beneficial birth choices like a 2-3 minute delay in cord cutting. What you mean is, it's easier to follow your dr like a sheep rather than advocate for any of your own positions. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 07:36 AM Flag
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ITTA. it's not a huge decision that will eat up precious time to ...do what? OP, I think it's totally fine. My OB waited a few moments, we didn't discuss, but he would have been OK with it I think. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 10:11 AM Flag
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Yes, until the cord stopped visibly pulsing. Our midwife was very sensitive to this, as that was our wish and the cord had been wrapped around the baby's neck during labor. Allowing the umbilical flow to resume and stabilize was beneficial, as the baby pinked up after the cord was straightened out; she was suctioned while still attached. A friend had intended to delay cutting as well, yet the cord in their case was truly compromising the baby's immediate health. For all the similarity, every birth is so individual. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 07:40 AM Flag
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that is great. midwives rock. Where did you give birth? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 07:46 AM Flag
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this is fascinating--can you post a link to some of the studies you read on this? I am definitely going to look into it for my second dc. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 08:12 AM Flag
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http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/117/4/e779 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 08:13 AM Flag
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http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673606688582/abstract [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 08:14 AM Flag
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thanks! This is what this board should be, an exchange of real, helpful information. My OB never mentioned this with my first dc and I am grateful to you for bringing it to my attention. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 09:50 AM Flag
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you're so welcome, and I hope your OB is receptive to the idea, too! (I figure, Pediatrics and The Lancet are highly respected, peer-reviewed journals--they can't give me TOO much of an argument about this!) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 10:52 AM Flag
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I just printed out the article to show him...in fact now that I am hearing it is so common it is making my question how good/up to date my OB is. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 10:56 AM Flag
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I'm afraid it's par for the course for OBs to argue with this--push it as much as you feel comfortable. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 11:04 AM Flag
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np: Even my middling OB did this - baby was suctioned then placed on my chest with the cord still attached and pulsing. This was for my first child, vaginal birth. I had an emergency section for second baby, and he was a preemie in distress, so no time to wait! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 09:54 AM Flag
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I had delayed cord cutting w/ 2nd birth in birthing center. My midwife does this as standard practice. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 08:45 AM Flag
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it was assumed to be the usual procedure at my 2d birth (SLR). i think we didn't actually do it b/c of issues with my baby, but nobody thought it was weird. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 10:05 AM Flag
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Our Dr. did this no problem. She had to hang on to the baby for an extra couple of minutes, but she was happy to do it. Ask your Dr. before you assume he or she will put up a fight. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 11:01 AM Flag
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I am more confused and upset by the fact that we would have to ASK for this. Should our OB's be up to date and informing us of any new research? Why did I have to learn about this on a message board? I have always been the type to trust a doctor's authority without question, but now I am thinking, we should be demanding more! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 11:23 AM Flag
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np: That's true that you would hope your OB would be up on the best practices for your baby. But since I haven't seen the studies, I tend to wonder whether the groups were adjusted to take into account that babies who are cut off right away will include all those babies with problems at birth (I posted above that my c-section baby couldn't wait with his cord - he was preemie and not breathing!). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 11:27 AM Flag
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np: why wouldnt it? scientist aren't idiots, they control for taht stuff when they can. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 11:29 AM Flag
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Lately I have been reading about all sorts of bad control groups for studies. I don't think they are idiots, I just think they are no more infallible than our OBs. Of course, since there is no downside in doing it, I am glad my OB did it and think OP should ask her too as well. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 11:32 AM Flag
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even still, I have a friend who is a cellular biologist and you would be amazed at how many "scientific" findings are presented in the media with no scientific trials attached. or the methodology is faulty. Often it is hard to do research of this kind on babies too because it is hard to have a control group. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 11:32 AM Flag
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in the media, sure. but there's a link up there to the lancet. they're not publishing your study unless you controlled it well. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 11:35 AM Flag
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that is certainly a good point. And clearly, keeping the cord on is not "necessary" in any way to have a healthy, wonderful child (just look at all of us, right? And I wasn't even breast-fed:) Still, it would be nice to have new research presented with pros and cons for consideration. Hope all is well with your baby by the way! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 11:30 AM Flag
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Thanks, he's great now. I have to say, my experience with #1 was much more lovely (not to mention less terrifying) - he was put all slimy on my chest with his cord still attached until it stopped pulsing and we just looked at each other. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 11:34 AM Flag
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np- that is much more lovely, all right :-) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 11:44 AM Flag
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there is actually a study done SPECIFICALLY on delayed cord clamping and preemies--the delay benefits them most of all. The immediate cord clamping that's done with a c/s is for the benefit of mom, not baby. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 11:44 AM Flag
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you should never trust your doctor, or any professional, without question. your doc may have a good reason for not doing this, and if so nothing wrong wuith you accpetig it. but you shoudl feel free to ask anything. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 11:28 AM Flag
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I mean this so completely seriously: this is why you choose a midwife. OBs do not, as a rule, practice evidence-based medicine. They practice ligigation-based, and scheduling-based, medicine, by and large. And I totally share your sense of frustration about this and many other obstetrical issues. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.10.08, 11:43 AM Flag
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