The baby is connected to the mother through the umbilical cord.It enters your baby through their belly button and is about 20 inches long and 2 inches in diameter.A single vein and two arteries carry blood from your baby to your other child.If you are a new parent, you have the option of cutting off the umbilical cord for your baby.
Step 1: It is not necessary to cut the umbilical cord.
Some new parents leave the umbilical cord and placenta attached to their baby until it falls off naturally.It can be difficult to keep the cord on until it falls off.Most parents don't like the idea of carrying their baby's body until the cord is severed.The cord will need to be cut if you want to bank it.The mother and baby won't feel the cut since the umbilical contains no nerves.
Step 2: Within the first few moments of your baby's life, you should expect your doctor to perform immediate clamping.
The baby can be evaluated immediately if they are high risk or premature, and this is a common practice.
Step 3: Your doctor may do a delayed clamping.
There has been a shift to delayed clamping, where the cord is not cut until at least 1 to 3 minutes after birth.Delayed clamping provides better circulatory support during the baby's transition out of the womb, and many physicians feel that it is a more natural process.A lot of the baby's blood is still in the birth canal.As much as 13 of the baby's total blood volume can be recovered from delayed clamping.The newborn should be held below the mother's level to allow some of the blood to return to the baby.
Step 4: Understand the benefits of delayed clamping.
Babies with delayed clamping had less iron deficiency in the first 3 to 6 months.In some cases, phototherapy was required.Premature infants with delayed clamping have a 50% lower chance of bleeding into the brain.Skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby should not be delayed.
Step 5: Talk to your doctor about the type of clamping you would like.
Before you give birth, be sure to tell your doctor what you want to do with your baby's cord.
Step 6: Make sure you have access to the right supplies.
It is a simple procedure to cut the cord.If available, sterile surgical gloves.A clean cotton pad.A sterile strip of tape.A sharp knife or scissors.
Step 7: Put your finger under the cord if it is wrapped around the newborn's neck.
Pull it over the baby's head.Don't stretch the cord tight.In the first few seconds after delivery, your baby's circulation shifts away from the placenta.Within the first 5 to 10 minutes of birth, the flow of your baby's blood stops.When you can no longer detect the pulse of the umbilical cord, it is possible to determine when blood flow has stopped.
Step 8: To tie off the cord, use sterile plastic clamps or sterile woven umbilical tape.
You can find plastic clamps in bulk online, but you may have a hard time buying just one.They are bulky and easy to catch on clothing.Make sure the sterile woven umbilical tape is at least 18 inches wide.You can find it online in single use lengths.
Step 9: At a medical supply store, look for cord rings or cord binders.
To tie it off, these can be slipped over the cord.Some brands need more equipment to place the band on the cord.The AGA umbilical cord ring does not require any additional equipment.
Step 10: Before you use silk or shoelace to tie off the cord, make sure it is sterile.
In a pinch, you can use other woven materials like silk, a shoelace or cotton string, but make sure you boil the material before using it.Thin, strong materials such as dental floss can cause injury if they are tied too tightly.
Step 11: Tie the knots firmly on the cord if you are using woven material.
Don't use excessive force to break the cord.
Step 12: Put the first tie about 5 to 7.5 cm from the baby if you are using tape.
The second tie should be placed closer to the baby than the first tie.Bleeding may still occur if the cord is not tied, even after the pulse in the umbilical cord stops.
Step 13: If you want to prepare the umbilical cord, you need to use a antibacterial solution.
You can use both of them.If delivery occurs in a public place, this step should be taken.
Step 14: A scalpel or strong pair of scissors can be used.
The cord is very tough and will feel like rubber.If the blade or pair of scissors you are using are not sterile, wash them thoroughly with soap and clean water, and then immerse them in alcohol for 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 15: Attach the cord with a piece of cloth.
If the cord is slippery, make sure you have a firm grip on it.
Step 16: Cut between the ties.
To make sure the cut is clean, hold the cord firmly.
Step 17: The baby should be bathed in the first six hours of life.
For the first few days, sponge baths can be done.The cord stump is more of a concern than the newborn baby's risk of Hypothermia in the first few days of life.
Step 18: Before and after you care for the stump, wash your hands with soap and water.
If you want to keep the cord stump dry, you should dry your hands before touching it.
Step 19: It's a good idea to avoid touching the cord stump.
You don't want to cover it tightly with a dressing if it's not in contact with dirty surfaces or substances.
Step 20: An antiseptic can be used to treat the cord stump.
The use of antibacterial solutions to reduce the risk of serious infections on the cord stump is not universally accepted by medical professionals.The use of an antiseptic to keep the umbilicals clean is still recommended by many practitioners.Triple dye and chlorhexidine are effective antibacterial solutions.Iodine and povidone-iodine are not as effective as they could be.Alcohol should be avoided.Alcohol can be harmful to a baby.It can delay the drying and separation of cords by a day or two.
Step 21: For at least 3 days, use the antiseptic with diaper changes.
Only apply it to the stump.Don't leave antiseptic on the skin around the stump.
Step 22: As a parent, you have the option to collect and store your baby's cord blood.
At the time of delivery, you can do this.Stem cells can be obtained from long term cord blood frozen storage.There are limited and rare diseases that may benefit from cord blood.Future uses for cord blood are very likely.
Step 23: Even if you use delayed clamping, you can still collect your baby's cord blood.
The option of cord blood banking is not removed when the UC is delayed.If desired, additional blood can be obtained from the placenta after the baby is born.