Is delayed umbilical cord cutting beneficial or harmful to the baby?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Bui Minh Phuc - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.
Cutting the umbilical cord is essential to help the baby separate completely from the mother's body. Currently, there is a change in trend in cutting the umbilical cord, many mothers believe that cutting the umbilical cord slowly will help their baby to be healthy and develop more intelligently. So is it really good to cut the umbilical cord slowly? What is the effect of doing this?

1. Is delayed cord cutting good for babies?

Children are provided with extra blood to avoid anemia: Studies on neonatal physiology show that, in the first minute after birth, the amount of blood transferred from the placenta to the newborn is about 80ml and can increase to 100ml in 3 minutes after born. This amount of blood prevents the baby from becoming anemic in the first few months. Children are provided with extra iron to avoid iron deficiency: This extra blood can provide children with an additional amount of iron equivalent to 40-50mg/kg of the child's weight, along with the amount of iron available in the body (about 75mg/kg/day). kg body weight) can help prevent iron-deficiency anemia in full-term infants during the first year. Therefore, slow cutting of the umbilical cord also helps prevent iron deficiency in children, contributing to healthy growth of children. Reducing the risk of intraventricular hemorrhage as well as the risk of bacteremia for children: Intraventricular hemorrhage is a condition in which blood in the brain area overflows into the area containing cerebral fluid. Late sepsis occurs about 3-7 days after the baby is born. This is because a child gets an infection from the environment or from a caregiver, and then the bacteria enter the child's bloodstream. Many studies have shown that the rate of children who have been cut umbilical cords with a delay in the right time having cerebral hemorrhage and sepsis is lower than that of babies who have been cut umbilical cord immediately after birth, especially premature babies. Increase the source of oxygen for the baby in the first time of life: The umbilical cord is the source of oxygen for the newborn baby, at birth, the baby needs a short time to have a breathing reflex, in the meantime the amount of oxygen supplied through the mother's umbilical cord is a very important thing.

2. How long is the appropriate length of time to cut the umbilical cord?

Just a short time after birth, the umbilical cord will stop beating, the placenta can no longer transfer nutrients to the baby.

Based on the clinical evidence of delayed cord clamping studies, in 2012, WHO recommended delayed cord clamping (when the cord stops beating or 1-3 minutes after delivery) for all. normal births to prevent anemia of the baby. Only clamp the umbilical cord early (before 01 minute) for cases of asphyxia requiring intensive resuscitation.
At Vinmec International General Hospital, the majority of births, whether vaginal births or cesarean sections, doctors not only apply slow cutting of the umbilical cord so that the baby has about 100ml of extra blood, contributing to bringing more blood to the baby. baby a good start. In particular, the father or mother will be guided by the midwives so that they can directly cut the baby's umbilical cord - the moment when relatives and mothers welcome the baby to be born will become more meaningful and memorable.

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