Just came across this great article, Delayed Cord Clamping Explained!(Video) written by Christie Haskell, which includes a video of Penny Simkin explaining the physiological benefits of delayed cord clamping- very cool little video. I have wanted to blog about delayed cord clamping for awhile, it is the first opportunity to honor the transition of both baby and placenta and the benefits are real. Delayed cord clamping allows all the blood in the placenta and umbilical cord to pump into the baby’s body before the cord is cut, as this blood is intended to be the baby’s own blood supply. As Christie Haskell mentions, ACOG, March of Dimes, and many other medical organizations have been putting the word out for a while that patience is crucial with the birth process, including delayed cord clamping. Christie writes,
“In fact, in a baby who is struggling, the cord remaining attached is even more important than a baby who isn’t, since if they’re not breathing through their lungs yet, they’re still getting oxygen through the cord — cut that, and then they aren’t getting oxygen from anywhere. A special trolley has even been invented and is spreading like wildfire through hospitals that allows resuscitation at the mother’s bedside, so the cord doesn’t have to be clamped.”
As a placenta advocate, as many of us are, and as more and more are becoming- I encourage all women to include in their birth plan delayed cord clamping/cutting. Be bold with your birth wishes and be true to nature’s wisdom, and support the placenta to do its amazing perfectly designed work. To watch the video of Penny Simkin click here. May you be moved to spread the word and take action on keeping that placental cord intact immediately after birth. And then, when you encapsulate your placenta smile… knowing that your baby got all of her/his blood and oxygen from this amazing organ!
Written by Elenya Grafals, LMT, CPM, CPES
