Why Should you delay cord clamping?

Add in the challenges of being a mom and it can get even harder. decisions surrounding childbirthIt can be very confusing. Since literally thousands of year, the debate over whether to clamp or not to clamp the cord of an umbilical has continued. The decision doesn’t have to be complicated though and there are plenty of benefits for baby! Here’s what delayed cord clamping is, how to do it the right way, and why you should consider it.

What is Delayed Cord Closing? 

During pregnancy the umbilical connects a developing baby with. Placenta. This temporary organ gives the baby everything it needs to be healthy. The umbilical cord delivers oxygen-rich blood containing vital nutrients and growth factors. 

Modern healthcare facilities clamp and cut the cord as soon as possible after delivery. This practice is known as immediate cord clamping, or early cord clamping. The immediate clamping of the cord prematurely stops the blood flow and nutrients for the baby outside the womb. 

Maggenis himself, who invented cord clamps in 1899 and warned against their use, advised against early cord clamping. 

Delayed cord-clamping is the practice of waiting a short time before clamping the umbilical chord. This allows the baby to adjust to its new environment while receiving extra nourishment. The continuous flow of nutrients. oxygen moleculesThere are many health benefits of stem cells and immune cells. Read on to find out more.

Even the World Health Organization admits that these benefits are for the baby. They recommend delaying the transfer of nutrients by at least 60 second to ensure that adequate nutrients are transferred. In some practices, such as lotus births, the umbilical chord is left until it falls out on its own. 

The benefits of delayed cord clamping 

Both mom and baby benefit from delaying the clamping of the umbilical cord. The primary reason is that the cord remains connected to the placenta for a longer period of time, which allows a greater placental blood transfusion. Here are just a few of the known benefits to delaying cord clamping.

Iron Stores Increase, Reducing the Risk of Anaemia 

This increases iron transfer from the placenta and the newborn. This can prevent Iron deficiency anemiaIn babies, ensure that they are getting enough iron for them to produce red cells. 

Iron stores are high at birth, which can help reduce the risk of deficiency before the baby is ready to eat iron-rich foods such as beef and spinach. In the first few months, the added nutrition can reduce the need for a transfusion.

Improved Circulation & Higher Blood Volume 

Delaying cord clamping allows for increased blood volume to be delivered to the baby. The higher blood volume maintains blood pressure and improves. Cardiovascular health after birth. This also increases oxygen carrying capacity and reduces the risk of respiratory distress. The few extra minutes during placental transfer help the baby make the transition from breathing through the placenta, to breathing with its lungs.

Better Immune Function

Blood from the placenta is rich in vital immune cells. Stem cellsWhite blood cells. These cells are transferred to the baby through DCC and provide enhanced immune support. This boost in immunity helps protect the baby from infections as they adapt to the outside environment. Iron levels are important for a healthy start in life. immune system. 

Reduced risk of complications

Delaying the cord clamping, particularly in preemies, can reduce the risk of complications. A few examples include:

• Intraventricular Hemorrhage
• Enterocolitis necrotizing (inflammation and damage to the colon)
• SepsisA systemic inflammatory reaction that can cause organ failure or dysfunction.

The extended nutrition transfer generally leads to improved neonatal outcomes.

Improved Brain Development 

Some studies indicate a link between DCC consumption and brain development. Scientists think that the increased iron levels contribute to improved cognitive and motor development. 

Improved outcomes for Mother

Mama can also reap the benefits of delayed cord-clamping in a number of ways.

• Reduced risk for postpartum bleeding: DCC allows the continued transfer of blood to the baby, increasing the baby’s blood volume. This can reduce the risk that the mother will lose excessive blood after giving birth.
• Bonding is a better option: DCC can promote early bonding of the mother with her newborn. Physical and emotional closeness may enhance attachment feelings on both sides. This contact is beneficial to both mother and child.
• Benefits of emotional benefits DCC can also enhance the birth experience of the mother. The period of time during DCC eases the transition from pregnancy to motherhood, which can support the mother’s emotional well-being.  
• Early involvement in newborn careThe birth process is slowed down by delayed cord clamping. It allows her to take part in the caregiving process, such as patting the baby dry, comforting him, or breastfeeding. This active participation can instill confidence and a feeling of empowerment in the new mother.

Delay cord clamping is a wonderful option that works for almost all birth settings, including preterm and C section.

Delayed Cord Clamping Different Birth Settings 

Preterm Infants 

DCC can be especially beneficial for pre-term infants, since it reduces the risks of complications during birth. They must be stable enough to endure DCC. If a pre-term baby can’t get enough oxygen, DCC may take too much time. Some providers will opt to use umbilical cord-milking in some situations. Cord milking involves pushing the fluid into the cord, rather than letting it passively flow.

Some studies show that the practice of cord-milking preterm infants can be harmful. An analysis by 2020 included 19 studies involving over 2000 preterm infants. Researchers found that cord-milking increased the risk for severe intraventricular haemorrhage when compared with DCC.

DCC reduces the risk of both intraventricular hemorrhages as well as necrotizing Enterocolitis. A controlled, randomised trial published in Pediatrics DCC was found to reduce intraventricular hemorrhages in preterm babies and sepsis. 

The blood transfusion rate for premature babies who are delivered using DCC is reduced by 54% due to the low blood pressure.

Cesarean Section 

In babies born via Cesarean sectionWHO guidelines for healthcare providers (C-section)

1. Deliver the baby to a sterile area, far from the surgery site. Provide immediate care for the newborn. Dry the baby thoroughly and check breathing. 
2. Give the mother an uterotonic within 1 minute after delivery. (This drug reduces blood loss).
3. Delay cord-clamping 1 to 3 min after birth.
4. While waiting to clamp the cord, look over the surgery area and remove what isn’t needed.
5. Continue to provide essential newborn care, but wait 1 to 3 min before clamping cord. Check for normal breathing and keep the baby warm.
6. Deliver the placenta. 

It is very easy to integrate delayed cord clamping into a C-section. It’s even better if the surgical team waits until the cord turns white, not just a few minutes!

Full-Term Babies

According to an ACOG study, full-term babies also benefit from DCC. DCC improves the development of full term infants by increasing iron and hemoglobin. Although some studies indicate a slight increase in jaundice risk, the benefits of DCC outweigh these risks. 

ACOG and AAP recommend DCC to be used for full term infants.

Concerns Around DCC

Critics of DCC fear that it might increase certain risks. Polycythemia and hyperbilirubinemia are examples.

• Polycythemia This occurs when a baby has a high number of red blood cells, which causes the blood to become thicker. However, this concern isn’t backed up by research. There is no evidence in the scientific literature that DCC increases polycythemia risk.
• Hyperbilirubinemia The term bilirubin refers to high levels of bilirubin, which can cause harm to the developing brain. UV therapy can help break it down. 
• Jaundice This is caused by a buildup in bilirubin. DCC is not associated with increased jaundice according to current research. If this happens, it may cause the baby to become ill. Phototherapy is needed, which isn’t a big deal.
• Respiratory distress It occurs when an infant experiences difficulty breathing during birth. Some practitioners worry that DCC may delay resuscitation efforts, putting the baby’s life in danger. Resuscitation is safe to do before cord clamping. 

DCC was associated with a nonstatistically significant rise in infant polycythemia, according to a review and meta analysis. Researchers concluded that the condition is generally harmless. Cochrane concluded that although DCC might slightly increase the chance of jaundice, requiring phototherapy to treat it, delaying clamping benefits full-term newborns by improving their ferrous stores.

How can you tell if the cord clamping is done correctly?

Here’s what to look for (and ask about!) Ask your provider if they know how to DCC.

• Communication:The mother, the health care provider and anyone else present during the birthing process should all be in constant communication. The doctor should explain DCC and its benefits. The medical professional should ensure that the mother is comfortable and informed about DCC. The birth plan.
• TimingThe optimal timing for clamping the umbilical cord after birth is crucial. DCC should be performed between 30 and 60 seconds, but not more than 5 minutes. The 1 minute time is probably not enough. It’s better to wait until the umbilical cord stops pulsating and becomes limp and white. You will know that all of the cord fluids are now in the baby.
• Monitoring:During DCC, the healthcare provider should monitor both the mother and baby closely. During the entire process, they should monitor breathing, heart rate and general well-being. It is important to check for any signs of discomfort or complications. 
• Positioning: After birth, the provider should place the baby on their its mother’s stomach or chest for immediate skin-to-skin contact. The cord is still attached to the placenta. The umbilical was specifically designed to do this. It’s the perfect length for the baby to comfortably nurse before the placenta is delivered.

It is important that the baby feels secure and comfortable during DCC by having physical contact with its mother. It is also important that the baby has unlimited access to BreastfeedingAt this moment, 

DCC is generally beneficial to both mother and baby. However, certain medical conditions may prevent DCC. That’s why it’s crucial to communicate with healthcare professionals to determine whether DCC is appropriate in your case. 

What is cord blood banking?

Umbilical cord blood is rich in iron and oxygen, and also contains millions of stem cells. Stem cells are highly desirable, as they can become many different kinds of cells. These cells may have the ability to treat cancer and other diseases. The stem cells need only instructions on what type of cell they should become.

Many people store this fluid in cord blood banks because it is so valuable. Private or family banking allows you to store cord blood in the event of an illness for your baby or other family members. The cord blood can also be made available for other families in need through public banking. 

The hospital should dispose of the medical waste if the parents do not specify a preference.

Here are a few advantages and disadvantages of private cord-blood banking:

Pros: 

• Cord blood collection is simple, and there’s no harm to mother or baby.
• In the event of a child’s illness, cord blood can be given to family members. Cord blood is able to treat 80 diseases such as leukemia and Lymphoma. Researchers are conducting tests to determine if it can treat autism, cerebral Palsy, or other conditions.
• It is more likely that stem cells taken from cord blood will match family members. There’s a 75% chance it could be a partial match for siblings.
• It’s free to retrieve it from the cord blood bank. 

Cons:

• It is expensive to store cord blood. Payment plans start as low as $69 per month for a term of two years.

Just so happens, true delayed cord clamping reduces the amount of umbilical cordblood available for cord-blood banking. Some people do not want to transfer all of the stem cells and blood to the baby. They reserve this precious fluid instead for blood banks.

It is possible that this is the reason why DCC with minimal waiting time (only 30-60 seconds) or cord clamping immediately are so popular. Umbilical cord blood stem cells are used for stem cell research. This is a lucrative business. The market for umbilical stem cells has grown dramatically in recent years and continues to do so.

How to avoid Delayed Cord Clamping 

In some cases, it may be necessary to delay cord clamping. Some examples include abnormal heart rates or coming out depressed. If the cord is clamped early, it may be needed to address any health concerns. Many babies still receive the medical attention they require while getting oxygen and nutrients via the cord. Otherwise, there’s rarely a good reason to avoid DCC.

DCC Final Thoughts

You can ask your doctor to help you.Practice of midwiferyTalk to them about it and include it in your birth plan. Talk to your doctor about the history, the process, safety and benefits. This practice may not be the best option for everyone but it has been around for a long time. 

Do you opt for cord clamping after birth? You may consider it for the future. Share your experiences with us below!