8/8/2019 Umbilical Cord Clamping Should Be Readings.

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8/8/2019 Umbilical Cord Clamping Should Be Readings.

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Summary:

This article talks about the cutting and clamping of umbilical cord that it should be

delayed for three minutes after birth, particularly in pre-term babies. According to the senior

doctor, the umbilical cord sends oxygen-rich blood to the lungs until breathing establishes. So aslong as the cord is unclamped, the average transfusion to the newborn is equivalent to 21% of the

neonates final blood volume and three quarters of the transfusion occurs on the first minute after

birth.

For babies born at term, the main effect of this large autotransfusion is to increase their

iron status. And for the pre-term babies, the beneficial effect of delayed clamping maybe greater.

Delayed clamping is consistently associated with reductions in anemia bleeding in the

brain (intra-ventricular hemorrhage). Nevertheless it is the babies who may benefit most from a

delay in cord clamping.

Reflection:

Delayed cord clamping for babies born early improves their health. In the womb, blood

flows to and from the baby and the placenta bringing oxygen to the baby from the mothers

blood. If the cord is left unclamped for a short time after birth, some of the babys blood from the

placenta pushes to the baby to help the flow of blood to the babys lungs. It is good to know that

the study on delaying the cord clamp adds more knowledge on the side of the health team.

For me, this article shows evidence that early cord clamping does not benefit either

mothers or babies, and may even be harmful. And it also tells that late cord clamping can be

beneficial for the infant by improving iron status which may be of clinical value particularly in

infants where access to good nutrition is poor. So it is time for others to follow the lead and finds

practical ways of incorporating delayed cord clamping into delivery routines.