Another Cord Question

[DocsNemesis]

I saw a previous post with a similar cord question, but I'm wondering about something slightly different. I think? lol

I ordered my birth supplies and got 2 clamps. I know they aren't needed, but I figured it'd be easier. Anyway, I wanted to know-once the cord is nice and shriveled and such, can I just cut the cord to remove the cord clamp? I figured I'd tie it in a knot near the tummy and once the cord was drying, I would cut it close to the knot. I seem to remember them doing that with my kids at the hospital but I can't remember for sure.

Also, I assume when I cut the cord the second time as well, I should be using sterile scissors or is that unnecessary?

I feel like a total dork not knowing this stuff, but I really hadn't thought of it before.

[Astraia]

I would say ALWAYS use sterile scissors. If there's any gumminess/seepage at all you could be introducing potential infection. It just seems like good sense to me. But that's just IMO.

And yes, you can definitely cut off the clamp if you end up using it. I really wished I'd done it with DD after her homebirth, but once it occurred to me her cord was like leather and I thought it'd hurt her to try to cut through it. That cord clamp drove me up the wall, and I'm sure she felt the same.

But yeah, after 24 hours it's definitely well within the safe zone for being unclamped.

[DocsNemesis]

Cool, I have no problem waiting a bit, I just don't want to leave the darned thing on. And yeah, I'll just have my fiance resterilize the scissors before cutting

[gossamerwindweb]

I put the cord clamp quite a ways from his tummy.... probably about 3 inches. When it shriveled, there was still plenty of room to cut the clamp off.