Delayed Cord Clamping: The vast benefits of doing nothing for a little while

What is one of the first interventions we perform on a normal birth? What is so 'normal' that we don't even think of it as an intervention? Cutting the cord!

Dr. Greene is asking questions about this intervention... what is the evidence for immediate cord clamping? Here is a Twitter record of a Twitter chat last night on the case for delayed cord clamping. At the moment of birth one-third of the baby's blood is still in the umbilical cord or placenta. What are the potential negative effects of cutting the cord immediately? Read this rather sobering exchange to follow and then take ACTION by spreading the word.

RT @DrGreene: Interventions should have evidence! No evidence for first intervention - immediate stopping baby’s normal flow! #LTKH

A4: In some low-income countries as many as 95% of delivery clinicians practice immediate cord clamping. #LTKH

RT @DrGreene: A4: Doctors thought they were doing good by immediately clamping the cord. And exported the practice around the world. #LTKH

@CarolynHastie
DrGreene I highly recommend reading Mercer's work. Here is an interview I did w/her in 2009 scienceandsensibility.org/?p=810 #LTKH

@CarolynHastie Apr 21, 9:32pm via web
RT @DrGreene: immediate cord clamping increases risk of iron deficiency anemia up to 10x. #LTKH

A5: I did a TEDx Talk about #TICCTOCC that I’d love you all to see - drgreene.com/dr-greene-at-t… #LTKH

@DrGreene
!!!RT @midwifeamy: Skin-to-skin mama and baby! HUGE benefit! RT @MsGreene: Q6: Are there other advantages to waiting to cut the cord? #LTKH

ACOG? Not yet RT @JustinMorganMD: Is delayed cord clamping promoted by ACOG and Ob-Gyn residency programs? @JenLincolnMD #LTKH

@mamasteyoga Apr 21, 9:47pm via Twitter for iPhone
RT @DrGreene: 3: At the moment of birth 1/3 of the baby’s blood is still in the umbilical cord & placenta. #LTKH

A6: Other benefits of optimal cord clamping - The most significant impact of all may be stem cells, but we don’t know yet. #LTKH

RT @MsGreene: #TICCTOCC RT @morethanfoodinc: @DrGreene Important to address cause of anemia rather than band-aid w/ fortification of rice f#LTKH

RT @DrGreene: A4: Sadly today immediate cord clamping is the norm in most places, robbing baby of iron, O2 antibodies, & stem-cells. #LTKH

@maya_rachmah Apr 21, 9:48pm via web

RT @DrGreene: Me too! RT @HannahSky: “@MsGreene: Love this graphic of @DrGreene's TEDx Brussels talk pic.twitter.com/emmGKH4BSj #LTKH” // love