Delayed cord clamping

SarahP15

Has anyone's doctor indicated this is a bad idea?  I brought it up at my appointment yesterday and the doctor I was seeing (who also happens to be the one I don't care for) said they prefer not to do this because it can overload the baby with fluid.  I tried to research any negatives for delayed clamping and couldn't find any.  Anyone else? 

She also said that sometimes they have to wait 5 minutes for it to stop pulsing....but since I am paying my OB thousands of dollars, I think she can wait 5 minutes if that is my preference. 

11kacey

Wow.. I JUST asked my OB this last week and she said the opposite. She said they generally do that now UNLESS their is a medical risk.  She did say that usually the cord stops pulsing within a minute or so. She referenced holding the baby up above the placenta was bad and holding baby below placenta was bad as well (too much blood or fluid or something?). I stopped listening when she said she didn't have an issue with it and pretty much always delayed clamping.

 

wootownlady

There are definitely mixed reviews on this - I would do the research if it's important to you. My OB said the same thing as yours (too many red blood cells at once for LO) but there are compelling medical reasons to delay anyway.  Personal decision.

luckyluvr

It sounds like your dr. is brushing you off again. However, in the real world, I've never even heard of delayed cord clamping. Sometimes we have to remember that the things brought up on the Bump are the result of overanxious mothers to be or women who are obsessed with anything that they think will make their child better. Billions of human beings have thrived for all of time without having delayed cord clamping, extended breastfeeding, facing rear in their carseat until 5 yo., and all the other hoopla that comes about. I'm not trying to say it's all stupid; I agree your dr. is doing what mine seems to do and it's frustrating, but in the end, if it's not something your dr. is willing to do, they're not going to do it. And if they do it because you won't let it go, would you want to deal with their impatience during your delivery? I see you either having to switch dr. or let it go.

jlsimon56

My MW compared it to all other animals' births.  She also said it MIGHT take a minute.  Who knows? 

It's standard practice where we are delivering.

EMLYNNLERETTE

My MW says they usually wait for it to stop pulsating before cutting it so that the baby CAN get the fluids (unless asked to do otherwise by the parents of course!)  She also mentioned that this practice used to be frowned upon by many OB's, but more and more are generally accepting the practice because of the benefits.  Just think, if we were in a primitive state, we would probably do this anyway because we are meeting our new baby, cleaning them off, waiting to deliver our placenta, introducing the breast...  I was told it can take up to 15 minutes to stop pulsating.  Since I am delivering so far away (2 1/2 hours) we had to entertain the idea of giving birth in the car.  When I asked sheepishly "If we have the baby, what do I do?"  She laughed and told me to hold my baby and bring baby still attached to the placenta into the center and they would cut it.  She didn't seem concerned in the least.  Hope that helped.

SarahP15

luckyluvr:

It sounds like your dr. is brushing you off again. However, in the real world, I've never even heard of delayed cord clamping. Sometimes we have to remember that the things brought up on the Bump are the result of overanxious mothers to be or women who are obsessed with anything that they think will make their child better. Billions of human beings have thrived for all of time without having delayed cord clamping, extended breastfeeding, facing rear in their carseat until 5 yo., and all the other hoopla that comes about. I'm not trying to say it's all stupid; I agree your dr. is doing what mine seems to do and it's frustrating, but in the end, if it's not something your dr. is willing to do, they're not going to do it. And if they do it because you won't let it go, would you want to deal with their impatience during your delivery? I see you either having to switch dr. or let it go.

i actually found out about delayed cord clamping outside of the bump, but was surprised to see so many people discussing and considering it here.  several of my friends (not associated with the site) have recently had children and chose this route so we have discussed it quite a bit.  

i was more curious if anyone else's doctor had given reasons for it being bad for the baby since the majority of research i have done showed that it was beneficial.  

denall

I can tell you a book I bought from 1902 -- "Woman, Know Thyself" about womanly diseases (which of course includes pregnancy) says delaying until the "pulsations" stop are ideal. Course this is the same book that says a husband and wife shouldn't share a bed, but you can share a bed with anyone else.

wootownlady

https://apps.who.int/rhl/pregnancy_childbirth/childbirth/3rd_stage/cd004074_abalose_com/en/index.html

 

rainstar752

My doctor told me yesterday that it can increase jaundice in babies. She said she doesn't see much benefit but would do it if requested.

lily37

I must say I'm kinda shocked to hear that some OB's think it's bad.  The hospital I'm delivering at considers it standard practice unless something goes wrong.  My MW told me that it usually takes only a couple minutes to stop pulsating but the longest she had seen was just under 10min.  The hospital I'm going to is one of the best in the state, so they're usually up on the latest research and statistics (for example, the head OB was one of the forerunners in the state for stopping routine episiotomies).  I had heard, too, that it was dangerous to keep the baby above the placenta.  But I researched (and my MW confirmed) that keeping the baby on your belly is perfecly safe.  It can be a concern if your placenta was on the floor and you were holding baby, or you're holding baby above your head but who would really do that?

I agree that If you've read the resarch and feel like it's something you want to do then you should be able to do it!  I would just want to be extra sure that the OB delivering knew my preference because I'm sure it's hard to overcome force of habit if that's not necessarily what they're used to. 

MrsAllison33

The hospital I'm delivering at delays cord clamping and cutting automatically unless it's a risk. I was going to ask them to do it but I don't have to now and glad.

gymnst1013

rainstar752:

My doctor told me yesterday that it can increase jaundice in babies. She said she doesn't see much benefit but would do it if requested.

I have read several articles with studies to back them showing that this is a myth.

blainethetrain

gymnst1013:

rainstar752:

My doctor told me yesterday that it can increase jaundice in babies. She said she doesn't see much benefit but would do it if requested.

I have read several articles with studies to back them showing that this is a myth.

LOL, I was waiting for your response to this one, Gym!

kate05

luckyluvr:

Billions of human beings have thrived for all of time without having delayed cord clamping, extended breastfeeding, facing rear in their carseat until 5 yo., and all the other hoopla that comes about.

I hate this argument.  Just because we haven't always done it doesn't mean it isn't better.  I didn't wear a helmet while bike riding and rode in the front seat from 4 on and put the shoulder belt over my head.  I'm fine but I got lucky.  Kids were also lucky to make it to adulthood.  I think people who make this argument forget that part. 

jcsumm0

kate05:

luckyluvr:

Billions of human beings have thrived for all of time without having delayed cord clamping, extended breastfeeding, facing rear in their carseat until 5 yo., and all the other hoopla that comes about.

I hate this argument.  Just because we haven't always done it doesn't mean it isn't better.  I didn't wear a helmet while bike riding and rode in the front seat from 4 on and put the shoulder belt over my head.  I'm fine but I got lucky.  Kids were also lucky to make it to adulthood.  I think people who make this argument forget that part. 

Not to mention that humans actually survived BECAUSE of delayed cord clamping and extended breasfeeding--these things are good for babies because they are what our bodies are designed to do "naturally" or "in the wild" or however you want to put it!

gymnst1013

hckygrl909:

gymnst1013:

rainstar752:

My doctor told me yesterday that it can increase jaundice in babies. She said she doesn't see much benefit but would do it if requested.

I have read several articles with studies to back them showing that this is a myth.

LOL, I was waiting for your response to this one, Gym!

Haha - I'm not passionate about it or anything am I?  

blainethetrain

gymnst1013:

hckygrl909:

gymnst1013:

rainstar752:

My doctor told me yesterday that it can increase jaundice in babies. She said she doesn't see much benefit but would do it if requested.

I have read several articles with studies to back them showing that this is a myth.

LOL, I was waiting for your response to this one, Gym!

Haha - I'm not passionate about it or anything am I?  

I just wait for you because you always say what I want to say, but better. And less betchy.

gymnst1013

hckygrl909:

gymnst1013:

hckygrl909:

gymnst1013:

rainstar752:

My doctor told me yesterday that it can increase jaundice in babies. She said she doesn't see much benefit but would do it if requested.

I have read several articles with studies to back them showing that this is a myth.

LOL, I was waiting for your response to this one, Gym!

Haha - I'm not passionate about it or anything am I?  

I just wait for you because you always say what I want to say, but better. And less betchy.

Hehheh - well sometimes I have to re-write my answer a few times 

rainstar752

gymnst1013:

rainstar752:

My doctor told me yesterday that it can increase jaundice in babies. She said she doesn't see much benefit but would do it if requested.

I have read several articles with studies to back them showing that this is a myth.

I'm sure there are studies.  But I also trust my doctor a lot more than a few articles (as you're able to find studies proving pretty much anything, particularly in medical research). 

That being said, I'm still planning to let the cord pulse. I just think there are good things and bad things about it, and you should be aware of both sides.  In this case, probably the benefits outweigh the effects (jaundice is an easy condition to treat).

EmilyJBrown

I didn't realize how much opinions differ on this one, but for what it's worth, this is what we've always been told/practiced at my hospital where I work:  Delayed cord clamping is great for the baby to get the last of the placental blood supply, etc. however, in order to get the fluid that you're hoping will pass to them by the time the cord stops pulsing can take 2-6 minutes (typically).  During this time, they hold the baby lower than the level of the placenta, at the end of the bed, to allow gravity to assist, and prevent reflux. A lot of our doctors argue that delaying skin-to-skin contact for 2 to 6 minutes while waiting is less beneficial than the immediate contact.  Also, while they are pretty quick about cutting the cord after most deliveries, it's not quite as immediate as many people fear.  I don't know about all of you, but after going through labor, and finally getting to meet my son, I won't want the doctor holding him beneath my legs for 6 minutes before I get to hold him!