Sterilizing scissors for the birth

[teamsalem]

Did you all buy the pre-packaged sterile scissors for cutting the cord or are you sterilizing your own? If you are doing it yourself do you have any links about how to do it?

[theycallmemom]

I don't have any links on this computer, but we sterilized our own(but with never used scissors, and then the same pair for our next birth, which had not been used since) To sterilize we boiled them for 15 minutes on the stove.

[zapzipzee]

I believe you're actually supposed to place them in a brown paper bag (folded over several times and stapled shut) and put them in the oven for 1 hour at 180 degrees (F). This is similar to an AutoClave.

I did purchase scisors as well as two hemostats incase the cord needed cut quickly (such as it was wound too tightly around the neck to pull over the head and was keeping the baby from being born the rest of the way). I will boil them, then put them in the oven, all in the same bag so we only have one bag to open quickly.

[lotusma]

bring stove-top water to boil, submerge scissors, turn heat down and simmer 20 minutes.

[Dahlea]

I used a new razor blade, not scissors but boiled them on the stove.

[jljeppson]

1 hr at 180 isn't enough. At that temp it takes around 3 hrs to fully sterilize your equipment. zapzipzee, if you are saying that you boil yours first and then put it in the oven, I would agree with that being enough. As mentioned, the quickest and easiest way to do it is to boil it.

[zapzipzee]

jljeppson

Originally Posted by jljeppson

1 hr at 180 isn't enough. At that temp it takes around 3 hrs to fully sterilize your equipment. zapzipzee, if you are saying that you boil yours first and then put it in the oven, I would agree with that being enough. As mentioned, the quickest and easiest way to do it is to boil it.

Yes, boil first, then into the bag and oven. That way everything STAYS sterilized until time to use it.

ETA: oops! Sorry. I checked...temp of the oven should be 250 F. Not sure where I got the 180 F! Maybe this is overkill with boiling first then oven?

[lotusma]

ftr, i have my dh run to boil scissors only after baby is born, that way they're "freshly" sterilized.

[corban's mum]

i may be really dumb here (probably) but couldn't you just make up a tub of sterilzing solution (like milton) and leave the scissors in there while you labour?

[jljeppson]

You wouldn't want a solution on it when you used it.

[mataji4]

we just used the scissors in the kitchen and then put goldenseal powder at the end of the cord.

[BirthNut]

Would wiping the scissors in alcohol sterilize enough? We won't have access to a place to boil water.

[jljeppson]

I would worry about how sterile you would get them. There are places where you might not be able to reach. I'd be less concerned if you soaked it in the alcohol in a covered container.

[MeesterMama]

why does it matter if they are sterile? Just curious? Do you have to sterile them even if you cut it after the cord is white and limp and placenta is out?

[jljeppson]

It's to prevent infection. You can literally force bacteria into the cord when you cut it if your scissors aren't sterilized. If the placenta is delivered, then mom is safe from infection, but the baby isn't. Bacteria can be forced into the cord when cut and since the cord usually takes 3 or more days to fall off, the bacteria has plenty of time to multiply and then spread to the baby. It's dead tissue after all, so a good environment for bacteria to take root. No, it won't be coming directly through the blood stream since the valve in the stomach has already closed but that doesn't mean baby can't still be infected. Babies can also get kinda of goopy under the cord as it dries up and prepares to fall off and that's an excellent breeding environment.

[mamabadger]

I bought pre-sterilized scissors and clamps, but did not intend to use them except in an emergency. The plan was to leave the cord intact until long after the placenta was delivered. Once the blood had drained and the cord constricted and blocked with Wharton's jelly, the cord could be cut without clamping and without exceptional care about the tools being sterile.