Delayed cord clamping?

[VerbingNoun]

Anyone have any experience?

My bestie contacted me the other day and asked me if my hospital would let me do it. I mean it is a teaching hospital and it seems like they let almost anyone do anything. There is a poster on the walls of the OB/GYN office rooms talking about a study they're doing...something about delaying clamping of Caesareans. Not sure if they are allowing vaginal delayed clamping. I have a feeling my daughter would benefit especially because I have been anemic/borderline since I got pregnant (donated blood before I got a bfp...oops ) Has anyone tried and their doctor not let them?

 

[BunnyN]

I had delayed cord clamping both times but they were home births. This time I actually felt the cord with my fingers while it was still pulsating, it was quite amazing. More hospitals are doing it as standard these days because of evidence that it is better for the baby. I think most will be happy to do delayed cord clamping at your request when there are no complications but its best to ask first incase it is not standard. Delayed cord clamping can also have huge benifits when there are complications like the baby having trouble breathing but most hospitals are less enthusiastic about that because it makes things much more complicated for them to do resuscitation etc.

If your hospital is doing delayed cord clamping for c sections it is quite advanced so it is quite likely it does delayed cord clamping as standard for uncomplicaled vaginal births or should at least be happy with the idea.

 

[MindUtopia]

If you are having a vaginal birth, you absolutely can have delayed cord clamping. Actually, in most places it's not even called delayed cord clamping anymore, it's called optimal cord clamping and anything before 3 minutes is called early cord clamping. I'm guess maybe you aren't in the UK, but here it's now part of NICE guidelines that cords shouldn't be clamped early unless there is a medical reason, like bleeding that requires syntocinon immediately or the cord is too short (for instance in the case of a water birth when baby is underwater). Otherwise all cords really should be left intact. When I had my daughter, it was left intact for over an hour.

You can also have delayed clamping during a c-section, like in the study you referenced, but you will probably have to ask for it and be a bit more assertive about your wishes. But yes, they just lie baby on a trolley next to you and slightly below the operating table to allow the blood to drain out for 3 minutes before they clamp and cut the cord. As long as you're doing fine (no heavy bleeding from the incision), it shouldn't be a problem. The reason they're probably doing a study on it is because it's not asked for very often. Most mums who have c-sections don't even know they can do it.

But yes, everyone can - and should - have delayed clamping.

 

[Eleanor ace]

Where abouts are you based? I'm in the UK and we delay as standard here unless the LO needs immediate attention.

 

[VerbingNoun]

US (California specifically.) I feel like we're behind as a nation when it comes to babies. I'm with a fantastic medical group (UC Davis) but they do some other things weird. Like we were told to have the birth certificate with everything but the date basically done by 28 weeks.

 

[DJMooMoo79]

my dr said it wasnt a problem but when the time came and my water broke, baby had gone inside me and so she said it wasnt doable.

 

[rwhite]

As others have said, it's definitely doable with a vaginal birth - I think it's more with a c-section or some kind of emergency (forceps birth perhaps for e.g.?) where they are likely to want to cut it straight away.

Make sure to put it in your birth plan if you do decide on it. Also, here is a great article all about it
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/cord-clamping-delaying-cord-clamping

 

[VerbingNoun]

Thank you guys. Will check and see what hospital policy is of course. Been working on a birth plan for a while especially since I'd rather NOT have family pop in lol.

 

[MummyToAmberx]

Its your birth, if you want delayed cord clamp they should respect your wishes.
i did with #3 i think my lil girl has benefited loads.

 

[VerbingNoun]

Its your birth, if you want delayed cord clamp they should respect your wishes.
i did with #3 i think my lil girl has benefited loads.

You'd think lol. This was something I forgot to ask about during the tour but we decided that if she comes Mon - Thurs, the cord blood will be donated. If she comes Fri-Sun (basically when the bank isn't there) it will be a delayed clamping.

 

[smileyfaces]

Just tell them not to cut the cord, its that simple. Your birth, your baby, your choice. The delay of the cord clamping is very beneficial to baby so I dont see how they can even question you on it.

 

[jlw617]

Just tell them not to cut the cord, its that simple. Your birth, your baby, your choice. The delay of the cord clamping is very beneficial to baby so I dont see how they can even question you on it.

Unfortunately in the US it's not that cut and dry it honestly shouldn't be a problem but if the doctors think for and reason even a reason without merit, they could tell her no

 

[VerbingNoun]

Just tell them not to cut the cord, its that simple. Your birth, your baby, your choice. The delay of the cord clamping is very beneficial to baby so I dont see how they can even question you on it.

Except in the US, its my birth in their hospital. So...its sometimes their choice because its their rules.
We have a couple of hospitals in the area that are exactly like that. I don't think mine is one of them though.