Delayed Cord Clamping Should Be Standard Practice in Obstetrics
In this article that Dr Fogelson wrote on delayed cord clamping in the ACADEMIC OB/GYN, you will find lots of interesting details about how it benefits Baby.
Clinical Benefits of Delayed Cord Clamping – the Quick Version
This resource is from Nicholas Fogelson, M.D. He offers a synopsis of research on the benefits of delayed cord clamping to colleagues and medical students at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. He even suggests that the burden of proof should fall on the medical community to show that immediate cord clamping is best for moms and babies. This resource would be excellent to share with your care provider if you need help convincing him/her of the benefits of waiting.
Although the entire Grand Rounds session is lengthy (about an hour), it is well worth your time, especially if you want to explore the benefits to at-risk infants like preemies.
Dr. Fogelson touts the following benefits of delayed cord clamping:
- Increased Hemoglobin
- Increased Blood Volume
- Increasted Hematocrit
- Protects against Iron Deficiency
- In Preterm Infants - Protects against Sepsis and Intraventricular Hemorrhage
Other points of interest from the research Dr. Fogelson presented:
- 50% of the blood volume in the placenta is transferred to the baby in the first minute after birth
- The remaining volume transfers in 2-5 minutes
- Preemies benefit from delaying cord clamping by as little as 30-45 seconds
- You do not need to keep the baby lower than the placenta for blood transfer to occur. The blood transfers to the baby efficiently when the baby is placed on the mom’s abdomen/chest
- Milking the cord (as opposed to just leaving it alone, unclamped) does not increase the blood transferred and may increase the risk of clinically significant jaundice
Dr. Fogelson presents compelling evidence that delayed cord clamping benefits babies. Your baby will benefit from all of his/her blood volume AND you will help spread a more evidence-based approach to after birth care.
Is childbirth amazing or what?
Every birth I attend and even the ones I read about add to my awe at how wonderfully this process works. So, with all the researching and reading I do, I finally decided to write about the highlights so that my clients and colleagues can also benefit from all the intriguing and interesting info that is coming available. Over and over research supports that natural labour, left to unfold on its own, is best for baby and mom, with interventions only sometimes needed.
As my first example, there is more and more research out there explaining why it is better to delay clamping the umbilical cord for at least a minute or until it has stopped pulsing. Some of the articles will be added shortly, others such as this research outlines the many benefits to baby. If you are willing to spend the time, you will be absolutely blessed by a youtube video of a Grand Rounds presentation by Dr Nicholas Fogelson on delayed cord clamping.
Dr Fogelson likens early cord clamping to the history of episiotomies and wonders “why delayed cord clamping has not become the standard already; why by and large we have not heeded the literature.”
Check it out, your baby will be glad you did!
If a doula were a drug…
“If a doula were a drug, it would be malpractice not to use it.”
Dr. John Kennell, Pediatrician
There is no question, everything to do with birth is exciting and attention grabbing for me. Even chatting with a pregnant stranger draws me to share info that would help her have the birth of her baby go better… like suggesting a doula, professional labour support. In March new research came out from The Cochrane Library, suppliers of the gold standard of medical research, which once again shows how much continuous support during childbirth improves the experience and outcome for the labouring woman, reinforcing my opening quote. This review still finds improved outcomes with continuous support, especially the support of a doula:
- Less analgesia used during labour and birth
- Fewer operative deliveries
- Higher levels of satisfaction with childbirth
A new finding with this review is that doulas are more effective in improving outcomes than people in the woman’s social network (partners, family, and friends). This reinforces how a doula can be a wonderful addition to your team. As a doula, we improve the birth experience for mom, her partner and family by providing physical, educational and emotional support to your core team. See more on my website SmallWonders.com.
Childbirth Connection has a great press release on this study — review here.
In our town we have a number of DONA certified doulas, with more being trained every six months or so and we would just love to help your birth be the best it can be. As DONA trained and/or certified doulas, we believe that every woman who wants a doula should have one. There are doulas available for every size of pocket book. For more info on this research or to find a doula contact me or add a comment.
Soon Coming!
My plan with SmallWonders.com is to use this area to share with you some of my recent research. Until then if you have any particular areas that you would like discussed please leave your comments and I will be glad to respond to your questions as time permits. (Note: You may need to click on the No Comments link)
Thank you,
Wendy