The umbilical cord is the link between mother and baby. The umbilical cord enters the baby's body through the hole that will become the navel, and is quite large in size, in babies born at an average age of about 50 cm with a diameter of 2 cm. Blood flows in the umbilical cord from the baby to the placenta and then back to the baby via one vein and two arteries. Your baby's umbilical cord will dry out on its own, become stiff and hard tissue, and fall off in 1 to 2 weeks, but as a parent, you have the option of cutting the cord.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Part 1: Clamping and Cutting the Cord in the Hospital
Step 1. Know that clamping and cutting the umbilical cord is not actually required
In fact, some parents decide to leave the umbilical cord and placenta attached until they fall off naturally.
- However, the option to retain the umbilical cord until it detaches itself is sometimes impractical. Most parents cut the umbilical cord immediately as soon as the baby is born, they are uncomfortable with the placenta if they have to wait for the umbilical cord to come off.
- If you plan to store cord blood, then the cord will have to be cut. Since there are no nerves in the umbilical cord (hair, for example), neither mother nor baby will feel the cut.
Step 2. Be aware that the doctor may clamp the umbilical cord "as soon as" after the baby is born
This is a common practice because it allows babies to be evaluated once they are born, especially high-risk and premature babies.
Step 3. Remember that the doctor may “delay” the clamping
There is now a shift in practice to delay clamping the umbilical cord until 1 to 3 minutes after the baby is born.
- Many doctors feel that procrastination is a more natural process and provides better blood circulation support during the baby's transition from the womb to the world.
- At birth, some of the baby's blood is still in the placenta and umbilical cord. Delay allows the baby's circulatory system to return a lot of blood, usually up to a third of the baby's total blood volume.
- Similar to the procedure in direct clamping, the newborn should be placed slightly below the mother's body position to allow blood to return to the baby.
Step 4. Know the benefits of delay clamping
For term births, infants whose umbilical cord clamping is delayed are less likely to develop anemia and iron deficiency during the first 3 to 6 months of life. However, in some cases phototherapy is required for jaundice.
- Premature infants whose umbilical cord clamping is delayed have a 50% lower chance of developing intraventricular hemorrhage, or bleeding into the fluid spaces of the brain.
- Remember. Do not let the delay in clamping the umbilical cord also delay skin contact between mother and baby.
Step 5. Talk to your doctor about the type of clamp you choose
Explain your expectations about cord clamping before delivery.
Method 2 of 4: Part 2: Clamping and Cutting the Umbilical Cord at Home
Step 1. Make sure you have the right medical equipment ready
Cutting the umbilical cord is a simple procedure that requires:
- Antibacterial liquid.
- Sterile surgical gloves, if available.
- Clean cotton or (preferably) sterile gauze.
- Clamps or special cloth tape to clamp the umbilical cord.
- Sterile sharp knife or scissors.
Step 2. Release the umbilical cord that is wrapped around the baby's neck by tucking your finger
Then, gently pull it through the baby's head. Be careful not to strain the umbilical cord.
- With the baby's first breath in the first few seconds after birth, his blood circulation shifts rapidly from the placenta. In fact, the baby's blood flow through the placenta usually stops within the first 5 to 10 minutes after birth.
- You can tell when the flow of blood in the umbilical cord stops when you can no longer detect the pulse of the cord (similar to when you feel a pulse in your wrist or neck).
Step 3. Use sterile plastic clamps or sterile special cotton tape to tie the umbilical cord
You can find many types of clamps, such as the EZ Clamp and Umbilicutter, but it can be difficult to determine which one.
- Although the clamps are very secure, they are bulky and can get caught on clothing.
- If you're using sterile cotton tape, make sure it's at least inch, or about 3 millimeters wide. You can find these products in online stores in single-use lengths.
Step 4. Look for a cord ring at a medical supply store
This ring can be tucked into the umbilical cord to fasten it.
- Note that some brands require additional equipment to place the ring on the umbilical cord.
- One type that does not require additional equipment is the AGA brand.
Step 5. Sterilize fabrics such as silk or shoelaces before using them to tie the umbilical cord
In essence, you can use fabrics such as silk, shoelaces, or cotton ropes, but make sure to boil them before using them.
Avoid thin and strong materials such as dental floss, which can break the umbilical cord if it is tied tightly
Step 6. Tie the fabric tightly on the umbilical cord
However, be careful not to break the umbilical cord because the bond is too strong.
Step 7. Clamp or tie the first ribbon about 5 to 7 cm from the baby
The second knot should be further away, about 5 cm from the first.
Remember that even if the umbilical cord pulsations have stopped once the baby is born, there is still the possibility of bleeding if the cord is not clamped or tied
Step 8. Prepare the umbilical cord by applying an antibacterial liquid between the clamps or ties
You can use Betadine or chlorhexidine.
This step should be taken, especially if the delivery took place in a public or unhygienic place
Step 9. Use a sharp, sterile knife such as a scalpel or scissors
The umbilical cord is tougher than it looks, and feels like rubber or cartilage.
If existing knives or scissors are not sterile, clean them with soap and clean water, then soak them in alcohol (isopropyl alcohol or 70% ethanol) for 2 to 3 minutes
Step 10. Hold the umbilical cord with gauze
The umbilical cord may be slippery and this ensures that you can hold the cord firmly.
Step 11. Cut neatly between two ties or clothespins
Make sure you hold the umbilical cord firmly for a clean cut.
Method 3 of 4: Part 3: Caring for the Umbilical Stump
Step 1. Bathe the baby in the first six hours after birth
You can wipe your baby with a sponge for the first few days.
The risk of hypothermia in the newborn is more concerning than the possibility of umbilical cord stump problems, especially in the first few days of life,
Step 2. Wash hands with soap and water before and after treating the stump
Dry your hands before touching the stump as the umbilical cord stump should always be dry and exposed to air as often as possible.
Step 3. Do not touch the stump, and do not expose the stump to unclean material
While you should make sure the stump doesn't come into contact with any dirty or unclean material or surface, don't cover it tightly with any cloth.
Step 4. Treat the umbilical cord stump with an antiseptic
Remember that the use of antibacterial liquids to reduce the risk of serious infections is not yet universally accepted by medical professionals. However, umbilical cord infection is a serious threat, and many health professionals still recommend the use of antiseptics to clean the umbilical cord.
- Antibacterial liquids that are effective and easy to find are triple dye and chlorhexidine. Iodine and povidone-iodine solutions are not very effective.
- Alcohol (ethanol and isopropyl alcohol) should be avoided. The antibacterial effect of alcohol is short-lived and harmful to the baby. Alcohol can also delay cord drying, which usually takes 7–14 days and delay cord separation by a day or two longer.
Step 5. Use an antiseptic daily or every diaper change for at least 3 days
Apply it on the stump only. Do not allow the antiseptic to drip on the skin around the stump.
Method 4 of 4: Part 4: Collecting Cord Blood
Step 1. Know the options you as a parent have for retrieving and storing your baby's umbilical cord
You can do this during labour.
- Cord blood that is stored frozen for a long time is a source of stem cells that can be used for the treatment of your child or other children in the future.
- Currently, diseases that can be treated with cord blood are still limited and rare. However, with advances in medical science, the use of cord blood in the future is likely to increase.
Step 2. Remember that you can still draw your baby's cord blood even if the clamping and cutting is delayed
It is not true that delayed clamping eliminates the option of cord blood storage.
