Essay On Delayed Cord Clamping

What the optimal timing for clamping the umbilical cord after birth has become the subject of controversy, started many debates and led to multiple studies. This paper will define cord clamping and delayed cord clamping. It will also look into the most recent research to show if there are any benefits or risks to both preterm and term infants by using delayed cord clamping, and if there are any maternal health benefits from this practice. After the third week of conception blood vessels begin to develop to carry a supply of oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the embryo. By the fifth week been compressed and formed what we know as the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord has two arteries that carry blood from the embryo to the chorionic villi and there is one vein that returns the blood to the embryo. At birth, the infant is still attached via the umbilical cord, which is part of the placenta, to the mother. The placenta continues providing oxygen, red blood cells, stem cells, immune cells and blood volume to the neonate. In a term newborn the blood volume can range from 80 to 100 mL/kg of the newborns total body weight. This volume changes dramatically immediately after …show more content…
The benefits that were found such as blood volume, increased iron, hemoglobin and others appear to be helpful and out way any the risk. There does not seem to be enough evidence at this time to refute the practice and hopefully more studies will be done. The practice of medicine and medical treatment is always evolving. What is found to be the best practice now may not always be so as seen in the change from early to delayed cord clamping. It is important to continue to research and stay up to date on what is the best evidence based practice. Alwasys discuse the options with your doctor and stay