Answers to common objections to delayed cord clamping

Most Bradley students include in their birth plan that they desire delayed cord clamping. Sometimes they are met with objections from their birth team. Here is an article, siting recent research, that pediatrician Mark Sloan, MD wrote refuting common objections.

Unclamped cord over the course of 15 minutes

Please click on the title to read the full article.

Common Objections to Delayed Cord Clamping – What’s The Evidence Say?

November 13th, 2012 by Sharon Muza

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by Mark Sloan M.D.

Today’s guest post is written by Dr. Mark Sloan, pediatrician and author of Birth Day: A Pediatrician Explores the Science, the History and the Wonder of Childbirth.  Dr. Sloan shares information and current research on delayed cord clamping after birth, in a helpful Q&A style format that consumers and professionals can use to discuss this important topic.

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photo credit pattiramos.com

Many maternity care providers continue to clamp the umbilical cord immediately after an uncomplicated vaginal birth, even though the significant neonatal benefits of delayed cord clamping (usually defined as 2 to 3 minutes after birth) are now well known.

In some cases this continued practice is due to a misunderstanding of placental physiology in the first few minutes after birth. In others, human nature plays a role: We are often reluctant to change the way we were taught to do things, even in the face of clear evidence that contradicts that teaching.

Though there is no strong scientific support for immediate cord clamping (ICC), entrenched medical habits can be glacially slow in changing. Here are some often-heard objections to delayed cord clamping (DCC), and how an advocate for delayed clamping might respond to them:

Delayed Cord clamping

In Bradley classes you will learn that delayed cord clamping is beneficial for the baby. Delaying the cord clamping allows for the baby to get the proper blood volume and additional iron. The link below is a scientific study of the benefits of the delayed cord clamping (in this case only 45 seconds!) for premature infants, delivered by cesarean. Not only was it found safe, but beneficial.

A randomised controlled trial of delayed cord clamping in very low birth weight preterm infants

European Journal of Pediatrics

September 2000, Volume 159, Issue 10, pp 775-777

If you don't want to buy and read the entire study:
Conclusion Delayed cord clamping of 45 s is feasible and safe in preterm infants below 33 weeks of gestation. It is possible to perform the procedure at caesarean section deliveries and it should be performed whenever possible. It reduces the need for packed red cell transfusions during the first 6 weeks of life.