Delayed cord clamping has re-emerged as a positive trend with parents and childbirth practitioners and this is good news for babies everywhere!
Studies have identified that delayed clamping helps by promoting a healthy cardiopulmonary transition by the newborn, the iron-rich blood helps in neural development, and helps sick newborns recover faster – with little risk to mom or baby.
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) provided the following guidance to their members:
“Several systematic reviews have suggested that clamping the umbilical cord in all births should be delayed for at least 30–60 seconds, with the infant maintained at or below the level of the placenta because of the associated neonatal benefits, including increased blood volume, reduced need for blood transfusion, decreased incidence of intracranial hemorrhage in preterm infants, and lower frequency of iron deficiency anemia in term infants. Evidence exists to support delayed umbilical cord clamping in preterm infants, when feasible.”
Studies have in fact demonstrated that 90% of the blood has transfused to the infant within the first few breaths following birth.
Delayed Clamping Does Not Halt the Ability to Bank Cord Blood
Delayed clamping is a positive practice that Securacell strongly supports. Further, the myth that you cannot bank your child’s cord blood and delay clamping is simply false.
Securacell strongly recommends doctors follow their standard delivery and cord clamping procedures for the sake of cord blood collection. Both cord blood and cord tissue can be stored. This includes the blood left in the cord following delayed clamping. This material should not be left as medical waste.
No matter what procedure your physician uses, you should still be able to bank your baby’s cord blood and cord tissue.
References:
Philip AG, Saigal S. When should we clamp the umbilical cord? Neoreviews 2004;5:e142–54.
