Delayed cord clamping?

2redtulips · July 2014

I didn't know this was a thing until our childbirth class a few weeks ago, and our instructor touched on it only briefly.

Someone posted in the birth plan thread yesterday that she wanted delayed cord clamping OR she planned to donate the cord blood.

I had been thinking about cord blood donation.

So, I'd love to know more about delayed clamping and its benefits. Thoughts? Research you've seen?

MsAmandaPants · July 2014

As I understand it, delayed cord clamping makes sure that baby gets the benefit of the blood in the cord and generally leads to higher hemoglobin and iron stores in baby.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004074.pub3/abstract

ACOG is still on the fence: https://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Obstetric-Practice/Timing-of-Umbilical-Cord-Clamping-After-Birth

carlsonbaby2014 · July 2014

We are going to do delayed clamping. My midwife briefly explained some of the benefits: ensuring adequate iron and hemoglobin levels (even 3 - 6 month old babies who had delayed cord clamping at birth had better iron levels in their blood), the blood is oxygenated so if there is complication with getting the baby to breathe right away they are at least getting oxygenated blood, does not take long for the pulsing to stop, and there's no risk to the mother to do it.

I wish I had some science-based articles to go along with this but I don't at the moment. GL with deciding!!

mandi195 · July 2014

I agree with the info pp's shared. I am going to do delayed clamping with this baby. I did not with my son as I wasn't even aware it was an option.

[Deleted User] · July 2014

I had never heard of delayed cord clamping until it was brought up on my BMB, but I think I'll do it if the circumstances allow. One thing brought up on the topic, though, was an increased risk of jaundice when delaying the cord clamping. Not sure why that would be?

megbmeg · July 2014

I think you are talking about my comment @2redtulips‌. I found the section on delayed cord clamping in Expecting Better by Emily Oster to be really informative (the whole book is great!). She presents the studies/science that has been completed to date in a really accessible way. My takeaway was that delaying cord cutting is helpful for babies for the reasons PP posted above - but that in the studies done so far, those benefits are mainly seen in earlier term babies. The later term babies (esp 40 weeks and later) were showing an increased risk (though still small) of jaundice. To me the extra risk of jaundice outweighed the possible small benefits if baby is later term. And since you can only delay cord cutting OR donate cord blood, I'd like to do that if baby is later term.

I haven't discussed this with my OB yet, so we'll see what she says.

2redtulips · July 2014

Good information. Thanks, ladies!

@megbmeg - I am sorry I couldn't remember who wrote that post when I started this thread. Thanks so much for clarifying the cord blood donation vs. delayed clamping. That is really helpful.

Unknown · July 2014

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megbmeg · July 2014

2redtulips said:
Good information. Thanks, ladies!

@megbmeg - I am sorry I couldn't remember who wrote that post when I started this thread. Thanks so much for clarifying the cord blood donation vs. delayed clamping. That is really helpful.

No sweat @2redtulips‌. Credit for the whole thread goes to someone else. I'm just the oddball with the split option plan

2redtulips · July 2014

Well, it looks like I am too late to do the cord blood donation anyway. I would have had to sign up for it by 34 weeks.

chicagojackie · July 2014

deezidee04 said:
I had never heard of delayed cord clamping until it was brought up on my BMB, but I think I'll do it if the circumstances allow. One thing brought up on the topic, though, was an increased risk of jaundice when delaying the cord clamping. Not sure why that would be?

Because bilirubin (high levels cause jaundice) is the breakdown product of blood and when you let more blood go into the baby after birth there is more blood to metabolize. Other risk factors for jaundice include any type of bruising to the head (prolonged labor or child in rotated position on cervix), birth trauma (vaccum extraction), Abo (blood type) incompatibility with mom, etc.

chicagojackie · July 2014

We've delayed cord clamping for a bit and then still done cord blood banking. Talk to your docs. Unless the cord blood is going for research they should be able to collect plenty even after waiting a bit. It is easier to get the blood for donation while still pumping but you can still collect a lot even after a bit.

2redtulips · July 2014

* bumping up thread for @gingerkid9989‌ *

gingerkid9989 · July 2014

Thanks @2redtulips‌ !! You're a doll!

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Delayed cord clamping?

Re: Delayed cord clamping?

Began trying for a baby January 2012BFP 4.25.2013 EDD 1.3.2014 MMC 6.3.2013 D&C 6.19.2013BFP 11.3.2013 CP 11.6.2013BFP 3.31.2014 EDD 12.10.2014 Baby boy Carlson born 12.19.2014

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Began trying for a baby January 2012
BFP 4.25.2013 EDD 1.3.2014 MMC 6.3.2013 D&C 6.19.2013
BFP 11.3.2013 CP 11.6.2013
BFP 3.31.2014 EDD 12.10.2014 Baby boy Carlson born 12.19.2014