Delayed cord clamping

RCM online has published a new blog on the topic of delayed cord clamping.  It outlines current guidelines and the research evidence around this topic and makes the following recommendations for midwives:

“Familiarise yourself with the physiology of DCC (Delayed Cord Clamping), keep up to date with the new evidence and research. Practice OCC (Optimal Cord Clamping) as best practice whenever possible, allowing baby to receive their full blood benefit.

In the Antenatal period, facilitate discussion about OCC with mothers, use the OCC stickers on the NHS Change day website to signify the discussion point and document preferences in her notes.

Join your hospital policy group, ask about how the NICE guidelines for DCC will be introduced into trust policy and get involved with writing new guidelines based on the evidence.

Its important that all maternity providers need to devise ways of enabling resuscitation with an intact umbilical cord.”

Read the full blog here

Read more info on cord clamping here