[jen27]

I would like to do delayed cord clamping/cutting and was just wondering for those of you who have done it or plan to, how long are you planning to wait? I have read different things. Some things I read say to wait until the cord stops pulsing which I assume is only a few minutes? Does it stop pulsing before of after the placenta is delivered? I have also read that some people choose to delay it up to an hour or more.
I also want to have skin-to-skin contact with my baby as soon as he comes out but I am a little confused about that too. How long will the nurses/doctor realistically wait before wanting to clean him up and do all the measurements?

[emills]

Typically you wait until the cord stops pulsing- this is to ensre that all the blood in the cord returns to the baby. It usually only take a few seconds, but can be up to about a minute. The placenta is uusally delivered within 5 minutes of birth, but can take up to an hour (which is pretty rare). As far as the kangaroo care time- same deal- they should allow you to do that assuming there isnt anything wrong with the baby requiring immediate care. Usually they will allow for several minutes of that prior to taking the baby for routine medical tests/cleaning, which is usually done in your room. However, once they do the routine stuff, you can ask to have the baby back and not taken away for a full bath right away. In fact you can ask to be given the supplies and bathe the baby yourself with a nurses/techs help if you choose in your room. MOST hospitals will allow these things, they are pretty standard. Ask your Dr at your next appt if they will do that- usually they will and all you have to do is include it in your birth plan that those are your wishes, and then remind the staff present at your delivery of that.

[Sarah711]

My MW always delays cord cutting unless you request otherwise and she said for most people it's just a few minutes (3-5). Although it can be as long as 30 minutes it's very rare for it to take that long and it should be cut before the placenta is delivered anywhere from just a few minutes after birth up to an hour (again pretty rare).

As long as your baby looks healthy, has good color and is breathing normally they should let you hold and cuddle him for a few minutes and they generally do just a quick clean up in your room and then give him back for a while to nurse and such. The real clean up in the nursery will happen a few hours later while you're being taken care of or resting.

[jen27]

Thanks for the info ladies!

[Mirandabelle]

I'm planning to wait until the cord stops pulsing. I've read that delayed clamping reduces the risk of anaemia for the baby, and as I have been anaemic this whole pregnancy (despite eating everything I can with iron in it and taking supplements) I would like to give bubs the best chance possible to avoid it.

Re cleaning up vs cuddling, as the others have said it depends on the hospital policy and the immediate appearance of the baby. All going well the baby will be checked out on my chest, and weighed/bathed by SO and I after we've had a chance for a cuddle. In the meanwhile s/he will stay on my chest or be held by SO skin to skin with a blanket/towel for warmth if needed.

[KimsBlessedWith#5]

So glad you asked this question because I was wondering the same thing. thanks for the info everyone!