Weckert, Rosemary

Hancock, Heather

2008-12

Third stage management has typically focused on women and postpartum haemorrhage. Clamping and cutting the umbilical cord following the birth of the baby has continued to be a routine part of this focus. Active versus physiological management of third stage is generally accepted as an evidence-based plan for women to avoid excessive blood loss. Other considerations around this decision are rarely considered, including the baby's perspective. This paper provides a review of the literature regarding timing of clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord and related issues, and discusses the consequences for babies and in particular *Aboriginal babies. Iron stores in babies are improved (among other important advantages) if the cord is left to stop pulsating for 3 min before being clamped. Such a simple measure of patience and informed practice can make a long lasting difference to a baby's health and for Aboriginal babies this advantage can be critical in the short and the long term for their development and wellbeing. To achieve much needed reductions in infancy anaemia and essential increases in infant survival, delayed cord clamping and cutting is recommended for all Aboriginal babies.

Clinical Midwifery, Alice Springs Hospital, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia. rosemary.weckert@nt.gov.au.

Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives 2008-12; 21(4): 165-70

1871-5192

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18993126/?otool=iaurydwlib

https://hdl.handle.net/10137/5751

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency

Anemia, Neonatal

Constriction

Female

Holistic Health

Humans

Infant, Newborn

Labor Stage, Third

Perinatal Care

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Outcome

Umbilical Cord

Health Services, Indigenous

Medicine, Traditional

Oceanic Ancestry Group

The importance of delayed cord clamping for Aboriginal babies: a life-enhancing advantage.

Journal Article

Review

Publication