The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the baby's umbilical cord should not be cut too soon after the baby is born. Pthis delay evidently bring many benefits for baby,you know. One of them is prevent anemia in infants.
So far, cutting the umbilical cord is done within 10-30 seconds after the baby is born. This process is necessary so that the newborn can be immediately examined and treated by a pediatrician. But recently, WHO recommended that the new umbilical cord clamped and cut at least 1-3 minutes or more after the baby is born.
Clamping and cutting the umbilical cord will stop the flow of blood from the placenta (placenta) to the baby. now, if the procedure is delayed, more blood will flow to the baby's body from the placenta.
Before cutting the umbilical cord, the doctor may wait a few minutes for the cord to stop pulsating, which indicates that the blood flow has stopped on its own.
Benefits of Delaying Cutting the Umbilical Cord
Come on, Bun, consider some of the benefits of delaying cutting the umbilical cord below:
1. More blood received by baby
Delaying cutting the umbilical cord allows more blood to be transferred from the placenta to the baby. This method can increase the baby's blood count by about 30-35%.
2. Boost backup iron in baby's body
The addition of blood volume can increase the level of hemoglobin or red blood cells, so the amount of iron stored in the newborn's body will also increase. This is important because iron is needed to prevent the baby from developing anemia, and to support the baby's development and cognitive development.
3. Help baby transition
More blood supply to the baby at birth can help him adapt better to the new environment outside the womb. The exchange of oxygen in the baby's blood will be easier because the lungs get enough blood flow.
4. Supports baby's neurodevelopment
Delaying cutting the umbilical cord is thought to help the baby's neurodevelopment.
In a study of 4-year-old children, it was seen that children who underwent delayed umbilical cord cutting at birth had better physical movement and social skills than children whose umbilical cord was cut immediately after birth.
5. Boost baby's immunity
Delaying cutting the umbilical cord can increase the transfer of immune cells from mother to baby. This will strengthen the baby's immune system, so that he is not susceptible to disease, especially infectious diseases.
6. Reduce the risk of maternal bleeding
Research has found that delaying the cutting of the umbilical cord can help reduce the risk of postpartum hemorrhage and the need for blood transfusions in the mother after delivery.
Benefits of Delaying Umbilical Cord Cutting for Premature Babies
Meanwhile, for babies born prematurely or born before 37 weeks of gestation, delaying the cutting of the umbilical cord can provide benefits in the form of:
- Increase circulation and blood volume in the baby's body.
- Reduces the risk of the baby having a brain haemorrhage.
- Lowers the risk of the baby needing a blood transfusion.
- Reduce the risk of the baby getting necrotizing enterocolitis, which is a dangerous condition where there is damage to intestinal tissue due to inflammation.
Risks of Delaying Umbilical Cord Cutting
Although it provides many benefits, delaying cutting the umbilical cord also has risks. Babies whose umbilical cord is not cut immediately after birth are more at risk of developing jaundice, because it has more iron content. However, this condition is relatively common in newborns and can be treated with phototherapy (the baby is exposed to ultraviolet light).
Based on data from various medical studies, it can be concluded that delaying the cutting of the umbilical cord has more benefits than risks. However, in certain cases, cutting the umbilical cord must be done immediately, for example in infants who experience shortness of breath after birth and require resuscitation or opening the airway.
If you want to delay cutting your baby's umbilical cord after he is born, you should first talk to your obstetrician. The doctor will give the best recommendation regarding this procedure, according to the condition of the womb and fetus.
