Cord Cutting - delayed/no?

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Just wanted to pull this question out to its own thread. I'm just a student, currently, but am a mom of 3, and an avid birth enthusiast and am curious on the thoughts of others regarding this.

I mentioned delayed cord cutting in the "is midwifery safer/more dangerous" thread, and the response was "we have time to grab the scissors", which wasn't exactly what I meant.

For my last two births, we did not specifically delay cord cutting, but there is a theory that delayed cutting of the cord increases nutrients to the infant, even if its just a 2 minute delay.

Here is one article:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/06/060618224104.htm

Here's another:

http://www.cfah.org/hbns/news/premature10-18-04.cfm

Obviously if there were problems that required a hasty removing of the baby that would take priority, but my midwife encouraged delayed cord cutting.

I'm just curious what our OB Nurses have seen in practice? I'm sure that the more "baby factory" the hospital, the less this will happen, but has this been debunked anywhere or is this a part of evidence based practice or just another of those things that is generally not considered in hospital based birth?

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Once the cord stops pulsating, nothing more is getting to the infant, so it is then that it should be cut.

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Specializes in OB.

That's what "delayed" cord cutting means--waiting until it stops pulsating.

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Specializes in student; help!.

We did delayed cutting with DS and will with this one, too. There's also some indication that it may help with iron stores, IIRC. I sort of figure it's the baby's blood, so s/he should get what there is. Also, for neonates who experienced any loss of O2, they get that much extra from the placenta while they're on supplemental. Seems like a win-win to me. I had a dream that I had a cord prolapse and was shrieking at the doc, "Don't cut the cord! Don't cut it!" Disturbing.

Every other mammal waits, so there must be a reason (besides the fact that they don't have clamps and scissors :wink2:).

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I totally agree with delaying til pulsation stops. But our doctors do not, so we clamp and cut immediately where I work. It's not my choice.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

At most, I think I've seen cord clamping delayed by about a min. Most of the time it's way sooner, and like SBE said, not by my/our preference.

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Specializes in OB/GYN.

I always wait til it stops pulsating unless baby has a problem.

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I totally agree with delaying til pulsation stops. But our doctors do not, so we clamp and cut immediately where I work. It's not my choice.

This is what I figured happened in the hospital unfortunately. I was hoping it was just my paranoia again. :) I had my last two as water births in non-conventional settings and we just kinda got up and out and cut the cord as soon as baby was checked out so I guess it was a couple of minutes, but definitely not 20. Time was kind of out of context at the time.

Those of you who disagree with the quick cut scenario, do you ever want to go on to get your CNM in order to do things in a less rushed/more holistic/evidence based way or do you feel like you would just be one more cog in the wheel, unable to make these kinds of changes?

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scorpiostudent, I wanted to delay mine based in info in our Bradley classes but our docs cut pretty much right away. I guess in the grand scheme of things it was no big deal. After having my 1st DS, I became interested in nursing school so I am now starting to apply. I would REALLY prefer to work in a birth center to assist moms who would like to have unmedicated deliveries. If/when we have a 3rd, I hope I can convince DH to go through a birth center. My hospital births were great and my OB was very supportive of my decisions and the nurses were GREAT in helping me through, but I am REALLY wanting a water-brith, too!

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Specializes in OB.

I definitely am planning on going on to grad school to become a midwife--it's why I personally became a nurse! I hope to practice in a freestanding birth center setting where medicalized, non-evidence based influences and interventions won't invade mom and baby's personal birthing experience.

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