Introduction.
Many moms to be are not aware the importance and benefits of having their baby's cord delayed before cutting. I want to teach you why it is so important.
How Common Is Delayed Cord Clamping?
While newborns delivered before full-term are reported to benefit considerably from the extra blood received, DCC is normally exclusively utilized with preterm infants.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) supports delayed cord clamping (DCC) in preterm newborns but feels that there isn't enough data to support its possible advantages in full-term infants at this time.
The traditional procedure during the delivery of the placenta for many years has been to clamp the umbilical cord as soon as the baby is born due to a lack of study in the past (10 – 30 seconds). Because it enables the baby's quick transfer to the neonatologist, ICC has also been the favored method.
“There is growing evidence from a number of studies that all infants, those born at term and those born early, benefit from receiving extra blood from the placenta at birth.”
Your doctor or midwife will clamp the umbilical cord shortly after delivery. It is clamped twice, one closer to the placenta and one about two inches from the baby's belly. They'll either cut it or ask your partner to do it next. (It takes a really strong clip to cut through the cord, which is surprisingly robust!)
When the cord is cut, the clamping assures that no blood will leak out of the baby's huge umbilical blood veins. Don't worry if you're sighing in sympathy as you read this because the cord resembles your hair in certain ways. When cut, it does not injure the baby since it lacks nerves.
Dr. Heike Rabe, a UK-based neonatologist who specializes in similar research:
“There is growing evidence from a number of studies that all infants, those born at term and those born early, benefit from receiving extra blood from the placenta at birth.”
What advantages are there?
According to some recent studies, DCC can benefit both full-term and preterm infants. These advantages consist of a 30% increase in newborn blood volume, a 60% rise in RBCs, and an increase in placental transfusion.
The lowered risk of iron deficient anemia is another benefit of DCC. By using DCC, an extra 40 to 50 mg/kg of iron is transferred to the newborn, lowering the likelihood that the child would experience the severe adverse effects of iron deficiency.
Cognitive impairment and issues with the central nervous system are frequent side effects of iron insufficiency at birth.
Dr. Rabe thinks there are further advantages:
Do the Benefits Outweigh the Risks?
There are three areas of concern surrounding DCC. Infants associated with DCC are said to be at a greater risk of polycythemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and respiratory distress. However, significant research does not support the risk of these conditions on babies receiving DCC. Here is a breakdown of the concerns:
Hyperbilirubinemia
Hyperbilirubinemia occurs when bilirubin levels build up too much in the blood. Bilirubin results from a breakdown of red blood cells. In the womb, the placenta takes care of the excess bilirubin, but after birth, the baby’s liver must process the bilirubin on its own.
The build-up of bilirubin often causes a yellowish tint to the eyes and skin, called jaundice. This is normal to some extent in newborns and often requires phototherapy to reduce it.
It is hypothesized that DCC babies will have a greater incidence of hyperbilirubinemia due to increased iron stores. Consequently, there are concerns they will need phototherapy for jaundice.
However, other reports have found there is no significant difference in mean serum bilirubin levels between ICC and DCC infants, meaning there is no increased risk of jaundice in DCC babies.
Cognitive impairment and issues with the central nervous system are frequent side effects of iron insufficiency at birth.
Dr. Rabe thinks there are further advantages:
"The additional blood during delivery aids the infant in adjusting more easily to life outside of the womb, where everything is provided for them by the placenta and the mother. Their lungs receive more blood so that the smooth transfer of oxygen into the circulation can occur.
Polycythemia
When there are too many red blood cells in circulation, polycythemia develops. Hyperbilirubinemia and respiratory and circulation problems may result from this.
Additional risk is that the development of blood hyperviscosity (increased thickness) should be a top priority when there is excessive blood flow to the infant. Moreover, it has been hypothesized that DCC might raise a newborn's risk of polycythemia.
However, a Cochrane meta-analysis discovered that there is no greater incidence of polycythemia in DCC newborns. To definitively say whether DCC has a role in infants developing polycythemia, more research is required.
Respiratory discomfort in the lungs
When there is insufficient surfactant in the lungs after birth to maintain the airways and tiny alveoli of the lungs open, respiratory distress results. This may result in a buildup of carbon dioxide and damaged cells close to the lungs.When this happens, babies often need to be placed on a ventilator.
It is hypothesized that temporary tachypnea may result from the delayed absorption of lung fluid brought on by the increase in blood volume (rapid breathing). According to a Cochrane analysis, the same proportion of DCC and ICC newborns were admitted with respiratory distress, indicating neither group is more at risk than the other.
DCC can postpone resuscitation procedures if an infant is experiencing respiratory distress during delivery. However, DCC will not be used in this situation; ICC will be used in its place.
Conclusion
The good news is that it is confirmed that delayed cord clamping is beneficial when used in the right setting. I want to encourage all of you mamas out there to advocate for it for your little star. Why not boost your baby's start to having a blood circulation optimised? Ask your doctor or midwife for this to be performed on your baby. Let me know in the comments how you feel about it and what you plan on doing in the future.
I sure hope all is going well with your pregnancy. Trust in God to help you get through your most difficult times. This too shall pass! Nothing is forever thank God! You will overcome every challenge as you trust Him to lead and guide you all the way.
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