Intro and Question about clamping cord.

StefaniePace · April 2011

Hi im Stefanie I am due in August. I am very interested in learning more about natural child birth. I have read most of the birth stories from this board (back 6 pages) and I read about not clamping the cord until its done pulsating. What is the benefits to this and what happens if they do it too quickly?

StefaniePace · April 2011

Not trying to sound rude but is there a reason why no one is answering my question?

pinksweetpea2 · April 2011

LOL You just posted this morning. Chill. This board is much slower at times than others. People are probably just busy.

Cord clamping:

https://www.naturalchildbirth.org/natural/resources/labor/labor04.htm

cjgiannotti · April 2011

The pro is that it allows maximum blood volume for the baby. If you cut it sooner, the baby doesn't get the full benefit of all of their blood. A lot of Dr's are in such a hurry to get out of the room after the baby is born that they just cut the cord to get on with things so this is definitely something to discuss with your Dr (if you're going with an OB) before you have your baby. I was with an OB up until a couple weeks ago who, when I told her that I wanted her to wait to cut the cord, told me she didn't ever pay attention to this and that I wouldn't know the difference anyway... NOT okay with me. So, be sure you're on the same page as your care provider if this is what you want.

missisue · April 2011

I'm mostly a lurker, but I'll chime in here. To answer your second question, this board moves a little more slowly than others, so just be patient.

To answer the original question, in the most layman's terms... the pulsating cord is delivering blood supply into your baby. If you cut the cord before this process is done, your baby is starting life with a lower blood supply, and in turn, a deficiency in many vitamins and minerals.

Here are some links (provided to me by the Hypnobabies course) on the subject:

https://bit.ly/a0hV9Z

https://tinyurl.com/2k4gko

https://tinyurl.com/de3mb3

https://tinyurl.com/CordClampingWait

https://tinyurl.com/CordClampingICPA

StefaniePace · April 2011

Thanks ladies!!! Patience is not the easiest task for me these days. LOL I am FOR SURE putting this in my birth plan. Hopefully my Dr will respect my decision and not cut it too hastily. One thing I have going against me is I cannot deliver at the hospital my OB works at. I see her in town and there is no labor and delivery there... I have looked into home births but I would feel more comfortable delivering in a hospital setting. With this being my first child I am scared of something going wrong. Any other suggestions for someone who is looking into a natural birth in a hospital setting?

nosoup4u · April 2011

This is a good link about reasons not toom especially if you want somthing to show your provider:

https://academicobgyn.com/2009/12/03/delayed-cord-clamping-should-be-standard-practice-in-obstetrics/

sschwege · April 2011

StefaniePace:
Thanks ladies!!! Patience is not the easiest task for me these days. LOL I am FOR SURE putting this in my birth plan. Hopefully my Dr will respect my decision and not cut it too hastily. One thing I have going against me is I cannot deliver at the hospital my OB works at. I see her in town and there is no labor and delivery there... I have looked into home births but I would feel more comfortable delivering in a hospital setting. With this being my first child I am scared of something going wrong. Any other suggestions for someone who is looking into a natural birth in a hospital setting?

I had a wonderful med-free birth in a hospital. I really admire people who have home births, but always knew that was not for us. I would suggest taking a tour of the hospital if you have not done so already, this way you will have an idea of what to expect. Ask questions of your OB/hospital:

-Can you eat/drink while in labor?

-Can you push in any position you want?

-What types of natural pain relief do they offer (ex: birthing ball, hot shower/bath)?

- Do they offer intermittent monitoring?

-Is an IV required?

-Is Pit routine after delivery of the baby?

It really helps if you have a clear idea of what to expect before the big day. My hospital was very pro-natural childbirth, but I knew that I would have to do 20 minutes of continuous monitoring when I got to the hospital. This helped me prepare mentally for the reality that I would be stuck in bed for at least 20 minutes. It also factored into my decision of when to leave for the hospital knowing that I did not want to be in transition while having to lay in bed.

I had a really good suggestion from my Hypnobirthing instructor. She said that if ever they present you with an intervention of any kind first ask, "Is this an emergency?" In almost every case it will not be, so then you ask the risks/benefits of the intervention. Then you ask them to leave the room so you can discuss it with your SO. This allows you to take a minute to review what they are saying and come to a decision.

Also stay home as long as possible, the more time you spend out of the hospital means the less time they will have to try to spring some intervention on you. I arrived at the hospital at 6cm dilated and having already been in labor for 10 hours. If I had gone to the hospital as soon as labor started, it's hard to imagine they would have let me 'hang out' undisturbed for 17.5 hours. They probably would have either sent me home or tried to 'move things' along. Plus you are far more comfortable at home.

One more thing, a tip I picked up from one of my MWs, bring headphones if you plan to listen to music. It really helps to block out the hustle and bustle of the hospital. Apparently my next door neighbor was screaming her head off and yelling, "I can't do this!!!" I had no clue, thankfully!