Placenta and cord question

[Laughing Girl]

Hi ladies,
I was chatting with a girlfriend the other day about 3rd stage of labour. When Isla, my daughter, was born, she was born at home and we had a natural 3rd stage. Her cord was cut when it stopped pulsing and changed colour. This didn't take very long.
My friend said that it is important to keep the cord attached for as along as possible, with the first hour being the most important.
My question is, with the exception of lotus birth, which IMO is an entirely different choice, why is a cord still beneficial to a baby after it has stopped pulsing. I thought that once it had stopped, the blood transfusion had completed and medically its use was over. Am I wrong?
Thanks x x

 

[NaturalMomma]

Cord blood may still be moving in the umbilical cord to the baby once it has stopped pulsating, but at a slow rate. The pulsating means the blood flow is still going at a normal pace from placenta to baby, and baby is still recieving oxygen and blood. I really don't think you need to keep the cord attached for as long as possible, in my opinion. Even the crunchiest homebirthing mommas that I know, cut the cord once it was done pulsating, minues the lotus birthers of course.

 

[Sam Pearson]

My understanding is that there can still be activity between the baby/cord/placenta for much longer than can easily be detected - sometimes for a couple of hours.

Another reason to leave cutting the cord for longer is to facilitate the natural processes between mother and baby immediately after birth. There is no need at such an important time to be fussing around with unnecessary medical procedures that can wait or be ditched altogether. Ideally Mum and baby shouldn't be moved, should remain naked and unwashed (skin on skin), shouldn't be touched by others etc.

I read once of an independent midwife who decided not to interfere with the mother and baby dynamic post birth but to completely let the mother lead the way. It was something like 1 hour to 1.5 hours after the birth before the mother suggested cutting the cord and it was always as a question not as a firm request i.e. the mother would ask "should we cut the cord now" rather than stated "It's time to cut the cord".

Post birth, naturally, the new mother and baby are experiencing an intense bonding phase facilitated by a hit of bonding hormone and also facilitated by heightened alertness in both mother and baby. This is the time to leave mother and baby well alone. Studies have shown this first hour is vital for optimum bonding and this happens best when mother and baby are not interferred with. This also facilitates good establishment of breastfeeding.

IMO it's best not to interfere in any way with a woman for at least an hour but more importantly for as long as she desires. All the rest - cutting the cord, weighing bub, having a shower etc. can and should wait.

 

[Laughing Girl]

Thanks both of you. Really useful info xx

 

[Sam Pearson]

Also, if you wait a sufficient amount of time there is no need to clamp the cord. If you choose to cut after a longer wait there will be no blood flowing.

 

[ljo1984]

Freyas cord wasn't cut until I passed the placental which was about an hour after birth do a long time after it had stopped pulsating. X

 

[Sam Pearson]

Here are soem great Youtube clips about avoiding early cord clamping:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX-zD8jKne0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDLywaBTd-o&feature=fvwrel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYhWzAjjRu8&feature=fvwrel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5CelB63QR8&feature=related

And this one is very visual

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3RywNup2CM&feature=youtube_gdata_player