If a few days ago we commented on how important it was for mother and baby that at birth they were together, skin to skin, without being separated, today we are going to comment on something also very important for the baby's health that may or may not be done at that time (in the moment the baby leaves and is placed on his mother's chest) as is cut the umbilical cord.
For a long time the cord has been cut with maximum haste (surely more than one can tell us that in one of your deliveries they cut the cord right away), because it was believed that in this way the risk of postpartum hemorrhage and neonatal jaundice was reduced. Now, however, it is known that waiting a few minutes is beneficial for the baby and that is why, before this dilemma, we will explain today when the umbilical cord should be cut, according to science.
What scientific studies say about it
A few years ago, Cochrane carried out a review of the studies that had been done on the cutting of the umbilical cord. This review was updated in 2009 and by then 11 studies were included, which had 2989 mothers and their babies.
In five of them the differences between premature and late cut were investigated when assessing the risk of postpartum hemorrhage and it was observed that there were no significant differences between both groups, that is to say, that one of the reasons why it cut fast quickly is not, as of today, demonstrated.
With regard to hemoglobin and iron levels, two of the major concerns in childhood, it was shown that children whose cord was cut later had significantly higher hemoglobin levels, although this difference did not exist at six months of age, and they saw that these same children had about also higher ferritin levels, figures that were still greater at six months.
There were no differences between the children of one or another group in the results of the Apgar test at 5 minutes after birth, in the number of admissions in the neonatal units, in the cases of respiratory distress, polycythemia or jaundice. Jaundice, precisely, was one of the "pathologies" that they wanted to prevent with the early cut of the cord, and as we see there seems to be no more children with the late cut, although with a qualification: in one of the studies they decided to cut the cord when it stops beating, or when at least 5 minutes have passed. Well, these children required phototherapy more times than children with premature cut, considering a statistically significant difference.
Conclusions
For all the comments it is recommended that the umbilical cord that joins mother and baby not be cut until it stops beating or until 2-3 minutes have passed.
80 ml of mother's blood passes to the baby during the first minute after birth, becoming 100 ml when 3 minutes have passed. This extra volume makes the 75 mg of iron per kilo of weight with which a baby is born to be about 115-125 mg / kg. This increase is a wonderful tool for prevent anemia in the first year of life. As there are many children who, for whatever reason, take to accept complementary feeding, knowing that the child has adequate iron reserves can bring some peace of mind while the child is accepting new foods.
After 3 minutes the volume transferred is lower and the risk of jaundice (and having to do phototherapy) increases. That is why at 2-3 minutes, if the cord is still beating, it is recommended to cut it.
