The umbilical cord connects the mother to the baby. It is grafted into the body of the unborn child through that element which in the future becomes the navel and is quite large, about 50 cm long and with a diameter of 2 cm (when the birth is near); blood passes from the placenta to the fetus through the cord which contains a vein and two arteries. After birth, the cord gradually dries up, becomes a stiff tissue and eventually comes off within 1-2 weeks; however, as a new parent you are given the option to cut it.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Clamp and Cut the Cord in the Hospital
Step 1. Know that this procedure is not necessary
In fact, many parents decide to leave the cord and placenta attached to the baby until they detach spontaneously.
- However, this is a bit of an awkward choice. Most people prefer to cut immediately after giving birth, as they feel discomfort at the idea of carrying the placenta with them until the cord is severed.
- If you have decided to store or donate the cord blood, it is necessary to proceed with the cut; considering that this fabric does not contain nerves (like hair), the incision is completely painless for both the baby and the mother.
Step 2. Be prepared for the gynecologist to "clamp" the cord immediately during the first moments of the baby's life
This is a common procedure because it makes it easier to assess the baby's condition, especially if he is premature or at high risk for health problems.
Step 3. Remember that your doctor can also postpone the use of the hemostat
Recently, gynecologists have noticed a tendency to wait 1-3 minutes after delivery to clamp the cord.
- Many professionals believe it is a more natural process that better supports the baby's blood circulation during the transition phase out of the womb.
- At birth, the placenta and the cord still contain a good part of the baby's blood and, by postponing the clamping, the circulatory system of the newborn is allowed to recover even up to 1/3 of the volume.
- A procedure similar to the immediate use of hemostats is to bring the baby to a lower level than the mother to facilitate the passage of blood to her body.
Step 4. Understand the benefits of delayed clamping
When the newborn is fully developed, this practice reduces anemia and iron deficiency during its first 3-6 months of life; however, in some cases phototherapy is needed to treat neonatal jaundice.
- Premature babies who have not had the cord clamped immediately run a half risk of intraventricular hemorrhage, which is bleeding into the fluid cavities in the brain.
- Be aware that direct skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby is not delayed with delayed clamping.
Step 5. Talk to your gynecologist about the type of procedure you prefer
Make this clear about your expectations before giving birth.
Method 2 of 4: Clamp and Cut the Cord at Home
Step 1. Verify that you have access to medical materials
Cutting the cord is a simple procedure which requires:
- An antibacterial solution;
- Sterile surgical gloves, if available;
- A clean cotton swab or, better still, a sterile gauze;
- A sterile hemostat or a strip of umbilical cord tape;
- A sharp, sterile knife or sanitized pair of scissors.
Step 2. If the cord wraps around the baby's neck, put your fingers under it
Gently pull it over the baby's head, taking care not to strain it.
- The baby's blood circulation drastically moves from the placenta to the body with its first breaths in the moments following birth; in fact, the flow from the body to the placenta usually stops altogether within the first 5-10 minutes.
- You can understand that this has happened when you no longer notice any pulsation on the cord (you can rate it as you would on your neck or wrist).
Step 3. Use a pair of sterile hemostats or duct tape to tie the cord
You can find plastic clamps online that are sold in large quantities, but you may have a hard time buying just one.
- While these clamps are very secure, they are bulky and easily get stuck in clothing.
- If you have opted for sterile duct tape, make sure it has a minimum width of 3 mm; you can buy it online in disposable threads.
Step 4. Look for specific rings or bands at health care supply stores
These devices must be wrapped around the cord to tie it.
- Remember that some models require the use of other equipment to put the tie on the cord.
- Rings typically don't need additional tools.
Step 5. Always sterilize any fabric material, such as silk or shoelace, before using it to tie the cord
Basically, you can use any string for this (such as silk thread, string, or cotton strip), but you need to boil it first.
Avoid very thin and sturdy materials, such as dental floss, as they can tear the bead when you over tighten them
Step 6. If you are using a woven material, make knots and tighten them tightly around the umbilical cord
But be careful not to use too much force to avoid breaking the cord.
Step 7. If you have opted for surgical clamps or tape, place the first clamp 5-8 cm from the baby and the second 5 cm beyond
Remember that although the pulsation on the cord should stop shortly after delivery, heavy bleeding may still occur if you do not proceed with the ligament
Step 8. Prepare the umbilical cord by swabbing the segment between the two forceps or ties using an antibacterial solution
You can use chlorhexidine or povidone iodine.
This step is essential especially if the birth took place in a public or unhygienic place
Step 9. Use a sharp, sterile blade such as a scalpel or sturdy pair of scissors
The umbilical cord is much harder than it looks and has a texture similar to rubber or cartilage.
If the blade or scissors are not sterilized, clean them thoroughly with soap and water before soaking them in alcohol (70% ethanol or isopropyl alcohol) for 2-3 minutes
Step 10. Grab the cord with a piece of gauze
It could be slippery, so you need to ensure a firm grip.
Step 11. Make a clean cut between the two pliers or two zip ties
Make sure you maintain a good grip on the cord to ensure accurate engraving.
Method 3 of 4: Caring for the Umbilical Abutment
Step 1. Bathe the baby within the first six hours of life
The sponges are perfect during the first few days.
The risk of neonatal hypothermia is more than a concern, especially in the first few days after delivery and is far more important than any problem with the umbilical stump
Step 2. Wash your hands with soap and water before treating the "wound"
Dry them carefully before touching the stump, as it is essential that it remains dry and exposed to the air as much as possible.
Step 3. Do not expose it to dirty substances and prevent it from coming into contact with it
Although it is necessary to protect it from dirty, unhygienic surfaces and harmful substances, you must nevertheless avoid dressing it with a too tight bandage.
Step 4. Treat it with an antiseptic substance
Know that not all doctors agree on the use of antibacterial solutions to minimize the risk of serious infections in the umbilical stump; however, these complications can be very serious, and many pediatricians continue to recommend the application of antibacterial products to keep the wound clean.
- Effective and easy to find liquids include chlorhexidine and gentian violet-based liquids; iodine tincture and povidone iodine are less effective.
- Alcohol (ethanol or isopropyl) should be avoided because its antibacterial effect does not last long and can be a harmful substance for the baby; it also delays the detachment of the stump by a day or two (which usually takes 7-14 days).
Step 5. Apply antiseptic every day or every nappy change for at least 3 days
Smear it only on the stump and don't leave any traces on the surrounding skin.
Method 4 of 4: Collect the Cord Blood
Step 1. Know that there is an opportunity to collect and store umbilical cord blood
This is an operation that can be performed at the time of delivery.
- Long-term storage of frozen blood allows for a source of stem cells to be used in the future to treat the child or other young patients.
- Currently, it is possible to intervene in this way on some rare diseases; however, as medical science advances, new applications for such biological material are very likely to be discovered.
Step 2. Remember that cord blood can be collected even if doctors have opted for a deferred cut
It is not at all true that this practice prevents the conservation of this blood.
