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Cut the umbilical cord: when and how?
For a long time, it was customary to cut the umbilical cord connecting the newborn to the placenta in the seconds following childbirth. Today it is recommended to wait a few more moments. But the gesture itself remains unchanged, in its practice as well as in its symbolic significance.
How long after childbirth should you cut the umbilical cord?
Until recently, the doctor or midwife who performed the delivery clamped and cut the umbilical cord 10 to 15 seconds after delivery. Today, it is more and more common to do it after a minute, as recommended in particular by the WHO and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Many studies have indeed shown that late clamping is beneficial to all newborns, whether at term or premature. These few extra seconds limit the risk of anemia and promote better oxygenation.
Cut the umbilical cord in practice
The midwife begins by clamping the cord, that is, putting a clamp to interrupt the flow of blood, before cutting or suggesting that the daddy do it. She will then place a small plastic umbilical forceps, about 2 cm from the umbilicus. Rest assured, the umbilical cord does not have a nerve, your baby will feel absolutely nothing.
It should be noted
It may be necessary to take blood from the cord for examinations (toxoplasmosis serology, baby’s blood group, search for infection, etc.). The midwife will, using a needle and a syringe, take this blood in one of the vessels of the cord. It is perfectly painless and safe. In some maternity hospitals that have been organized with the French Blood Establishment, you may be offered an anonymous and free donation of your baby’s cord blood. The stem cells contained in this blood can indeed be used to treat a patient with leukemia …
Cord care
The umbilical cord left in place usually falls off on its own within 5 to 20 days of birth, leaving a scar that is no more and no less than the umbilicus, more commonly known as the belly button. To avoid any risk of infection during this time and ensure the prettiest healing, it is essential to clean well and especially to leave the area as dry as possible.
Regarding cleaning and / or disinfection of the navel, follow the recommendations given by the midwife or childcare assistant. Care habits change a lot from one maternity hospital to another. Some recommend that cleaning with soap and water be followed by disinfection with a Chlorhexidine-type product, others are content with careful cleaning: in Western countries, studies have shown that there is no was no difference between the two protocols regarding the risk of infection. The only requirements are to always have your hands very clean before touching the umbilical cord and to ensure that it is always dry, taking care in particular to close the layer underneath to prevent it from macerating.
Last precaution, even if these treatments are absolutely painless for the baby, talk to him, explain your actions to him. Hearing your reassuring voice helps relax it.
When the umbilical cord fell off
Once the cord has fallen, it is recommended to continue the care and drying for a few more days, until the healing is complete. Bleeding, oozing, persistent redness, bad odor and / or associated fever imperatively require medical advice.
A symbolic gesture for the dad
If he is present and if he wishes, the midwife most often suggests that the father cut the umbilical cord after she has clamped it. This gesture is very strong since it has physically and symbolically separated the fusional mother-baby duo for 9 months. The new dad thus invests his role of “third party separator”. However, there is no obligation: if the dad does not feel comfortable with this gesture, he must not force himself or feel guilty, he will have many other opportunities to take this place.