Plasenta (partner) and umbilical cord have deep meanings in many cultures throughout history. In some ethnic societies, the placenta and umbilical cord are kept as an expression of respect for life. In Far Eastern cultures such as New Zealand and Bali, it is considered the structure that connects the baby to heaven and is used after birth. The umbilical cord is expected to dry and break before it is cut. In Tibet and India, traditionally the placenta can be wrapped with plants called lotus and waited for 3-5 days for it to dry and break off on its own.
From past to present, especially with the increase in hospital births, the umbilical cord has started to be cut as soon as it is born. Following the statements of the World Health Organization recommending late clamping (tying) of the umbilical cord, many expectant mothers receive requests in this direction. Although there are different opinions about the time to cut the cord, it is recommended to wait for the cord blood flow to stop after the birth of the baby (on average 30 seconds - 5 minutes) and cut the cord tie when the flow stops.
Immediately after the moment of birth, the baby's cord blood flow is placed in the mother's arms The current stops automatically after waiting for a few minutes. By waiting approximately 30 seconds to 60 seconds, all the blood in the cord passes to the baby. Delayed cutting of the umbilical cord increases the baby's blood volume and hemoglobin concentration and preserves the baby's iron stores in the first few months. Thanks to the extra blood coming to the baby's lungs after birth, the baby's adaptation to the world becomes easier. Respiratory problems, which we call neonatal temporary tachypnea, are reduced. It helps the development of the immune system, nervous, heart and respiratory systems. It causes an increase in stem cells, which play an important role.
In addition, even delaying cutting the cord for 30 seconds in those born before 37 weeks reduces organ damage in premature babies. ACOG (American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology) has published scientific studies on this subject that recommend delayed cord clamping in premature babies.
In scientific studies, late cord clamping for the baby increases the risk of excess red cells in the blood called polycythemia and neonatal jaundice, but there is no difference in neonatal jaundice requiring treatment when compared to babies with early cord clamping. It has been observed that it does not.
Delayed cord clamping is not recommended in cases where the baby requires urgent intervention, such as acidosis at birth, cord and placenta nutritional disorders.
From the mother's perspective, late clamping of the baby's cord does not cause any increase in the mother's bleeding after birth.
The best gift that can be given to a baby when he/she is born is cord blood.
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