Delayed Cord Clamping Question

ohlordy

Had a question for my OB about his policy with delayed cord clamping. I said I would like to wait for the cord to stop pulsating before it is clamped.

OB responds with "well, the cord doesn't entirely stop pulsating until the placenta is delivered and this can be anywhere from 5-30 minutes after delivery of the baby." He also said that I won't be able to hold the baby because the cord might not be long enough to have the baby on my chest.

He asked why I want this, and I told him I read about all the benefits for baby and it is just simply what I want to do. (Let me do what I want. Don't look at me like that!)

For those of you who have done this, what is your experience with it? How long after the baby was delivered did the cord pulsate for? Were you able to have the baby on your chest or was the cord not long enough?

 

ohlordy

Yeah, he mentioned that it isn't something he does with his deliveries. Thank you for your response. 

annabelle.27

Delayed cord clamping is standard practice at my midwives' practice. It took a few minutes, maybe five, but stopped before the placenta detached. The cord was long enough for me to hold the baby.

pixieprincss

We left DS2's cord alone until I delivered the placenta. The cord was plenty long to reach while I held baby at my chest. It was probably 30 minutes after birth when I cut it.  If the cord it short, then baby could still lay on your tummy, even if not at your breast, right?

abell77

my memory is a bit fuzzy, but I don't think it took longer than 15 minutes with either of my births.  Both times I delivered the placenta within 30 minutes, and I think I had cut the cord by then (yes, I did it myself because DH was squeamish!) but honestly can't remember specifics.  No problems with having baby on my chest, I remember the second time the cord was shorter but it still worked out.

oliversmommy32912

We waited about five minutes before clamping. His cord was really short so he only made it up to my belly but it was ok. I could still see him just fine and even lean over and give him a kiss.

ohlordy

Thank you all so much! Good to hear some real experiences

aylafsu88

I delivered in the side position and they immediately put DD to my chest.  My H and doula reminded the doc that we would like to delay the chord clamping.  He  waited for @ 5 mins and we chatted, looked at the baby and got some pics.  The OB then clamped the chord and I delivered the placenta.  Honestly, the OB should not have a problem delaying the chord clamping because he/she will usually stay in the room waiting for the placenta to detach and be delivered. In the Bradley birth class they did discuss that some chord may be to short to put baby to chest but they can always put the baby on your belly.

iris427

ohlordy:

Had a question for my OB about his policy with delayed cord clamping. I said I would like to wait for the cord to stop pulsating before it is clamped.

OB responds with "well, the cord doesn't entirely stop pulsating until the placenta is delivered and this can be anywhere from 5-30 minutes after delivery of the baby." He also said that I won't be able to hold the baby because the cord might not be long enough to have the baby on my chest.

He asked why I want this, and I told him I read about all the benefits for baby and it is just simply what I want to do. (Let me do what I want. Don't look at me like that!)

For those of you who have done this, what is your experience with it? How long after the baby was delivered did the cord pulsate for? Were you able to have the baby on your chest or was the cord not long enough?

 

We waited for it to stop pulsing with my son.  I was able to hold him just fine. It did take quite a few minutes for the cord to stop pulsing, but it was before I delivered the placenta.  

You can even wait a just few minutes and clamp the cord.  Your baby will still get health benefits but it won't be as long a wait--maybe that would be a good compromise with your doctor?

Show your doctor this article: https://academicobgyn.com/2009/12/03/delayed-cord-clamping-should-be-standard-practice-in-obstetrics/ 

kathleen02

I asked for this and I am one where the cord wasn't very long...I couldn't hold him! So strange, anyway he was fine, didn't suffer from any of the issues that the clamping can help avoid. I wanted to nurse him sooner than later so that was more important to me.

danuli8

I fired my OB because she didn't want to delay clamping the cord. Now I am with a CNM who said, "Of course I will delay clamping!" I think it is an attitude thing and most OBs were not trained to delay.

WashingtonQueen

When my son was born he was put on my stomach because he couldn't quite reach my chest with the cord still attached. I want to say that it took about 4 minutes or so for the cord to stop pulsating. It really was not a big deal at all, like your doctor is trying to make it.

HK2mom4

Sorry to say - I was young (19) when I got married and very naive about most everything especially pregnancy so I simply listened to; then did as my mother, MIL and doctor had all suggested with the first baby. I had no idea there were other ways of getting baby out!

The first time I went into real labor I labored at home the first day then when my water broke (that next day); I went directly to the hospital where they decided - putting me on all sort of monitors as my support team (mom, MIL and doctor) had already told me to accept! So I was hooked-up, given an IV (for fluids) since I was then considered de-hydrated while being placed on my back in a bed where I had no other chose but to just lie there all wired-up to those machines - like a human guinea-pig being monitored constantly. At some six-and-a-half hours later I was at the point of reaching slightly more than 7cm/100% effaced I was given an epidural for pain which started working so quickly - numbing everything from my mid-lower back to my knees. I felt absolutely nothing (no pain) from that point on then somewhere during those next 90 minutes I had an episiotomy - leading to the birth of my first son. Well my being extremely na?ve I just took it - thinking that they all knew what?s best for me in this condition!

Hubby told me later that his umbilical-cord was just not long enough to have him placed on my chest so he was instead placed on my tummy until his cord was clamped about 3 minutes later then cut by my mom.

This was not the case with my next three they all were born as naturally as you can get without medical intervention other than my doctor being there; guiding my pushing then grabbing little one as he came shooting out! All three of my next little one?s umbilical-cords were only clamped - cut between 5-8 minutes after their births when they had stopped that major points of pulsing only. That pulsing usually slows-down or even stops within this time frame so it?s easier to clamp then cut - or so I?m told - by doctor. The hospital where my last three were born does have the policy of waiting for most major pulsing to slow or stop if its medically sound to do so for both baby and mother ?

As for the umbilical-cord on these three it was definitely long enough; so I could have each of them placed on my chest each time! While in that brief moment of (skin-to-skin) bonding between mother/baby - there?s nothing quite like this ? at no other time are they as close to you; that is - when their outside the womb!

resilient61

We delayed & it only took about 5 minutes for it to "noticeably" stop pulsing.  DS1 ended up on the OB's lap for most of it- he said nothing about a short cord, but said if baby was lower than the placenta it would essentially drain easier/faster- my mom, DH and the nurse were watching & the nurse even commented on the strength/speed of the pulse.  DS1 was then put on my chest & DH cut the cord.

dosafyre

Around here...baby going straight to your chest is pretty normal (I feel like a short cord is the exception rather than the rule). Both my girls had long enough cords.
We just asked for them to delay cutting for a few min and they didn't cut until around 5-8min. Definitely saw an improvement in jaundice compared to the first time when it was cut right away, and I feel like DD#2 was able to suck stronger/sooner which also helped. I felt it was worth doing.

evelyntaylor

I waited for the cord to stop pulsing before my placenta delivered. The OB showed me the cord, it was white. We only had to wait about 5 minutes and then DS was having breathing issues so he was taken to the NICU, but I plan on doing the same. I did some research on this recently and DCC can help prevent infant anemia.