What do I do with those sterilization pouches? - Page 2

[dayiscoming2006]

Originally Posted by ElizabethE 

BTW-- if we are simply allowing sufficient time for the cord to go limp/stop pulsing before cutting, this greatly minimizes the risks of infection or anything else undesirable traveling via cord to baby.

That's my plan as long as there isn't an emergency of some sort (which I doubt.)
 

[Mamatoabunch]

Originally Posted by dayiscoming2006 

That's my plan as long as there isn't an emergency of some sort (which I doubt.)
 

Ditto, never cut ours before going limp and white in 7 UC's, 8 HB's.

[LadyJennifer]

Originally Posted by dayiscoming2006 

That's my plan as long as there isn't an emergency of some sort (which I doubt.)
 

What emergency calls for the need to cut the cord early?

[dayiscoming2006]

Not sure. :) Maybe, if I was unconscious or something? LOL I have no idea. Maybe someone else could give a real example?

Originally Posted by LadyJennifer 

Originally Posted by dayiscoming2006 

That's my plan as long as there isn't an emergency of some sort (which I doubt.)
 

What emergency calls for the need to cut the cord early?

[ElizabethE]

I think when babies need to be whisked away for some medical intervention, or if the cord is too short for a mom to administer any breaths or compressions or anything of that sort...

[LadyJennifer]

Originally Posted by ElizabethE 

I think when babies need to be whisked away for some medical intervention, or if the cord is too short for a mom to administer any breaths or compressions or anything of that sort...

But if it was a UC there would be no "whisking away". The latter may be a valid one, but keeping the baby attached to it's blood (oxygen) supply especially if it is "slow to start" is crucial. Maybe have someone else do breaths or compressions if need be, if in the rare instance the cord is that short. :)

[Sheepdoc]

Very few situations benefit from premature cord cutting.

1) If the cord is wrapped around the baby's neck so tight that it can not be unwound and the baby can not be born further.  Some women have very short cords so this could happen with only one loop.  OTH I know of cases where the cord was looped 4-7 times and it did not prevent normal birth even w/o being unwound.  (In the 7 loops case it didn't even show up on the hospitals internal fetal monitor.)

2) Twins.  I'm a little fuzzy on the exact issues/reasoning as I've never needed to know but I think the concern there is if you have a joined placental circulation twin A will continue to receive blood not just from the placenta but from twin B as well. 

Slightly off topic but there was a wonderful scientfic paper about why allowing full transfer is essential especially to preemies.  It mentioned that in the event of a c/s the baby can be left attached and held below the level of the placenta and once the placenta is removed you hold the placenta above baby like an IV.  Hope none of us ever need that info but its nice to know what can and should be done in the event of a c/s to help baby breathe!

[Sheepdoc]

Found one of the cord clamping articles

http://midwifethinking.com/2010/08/26/the-placenta-essential-resuscitation-equipment/.

[LadyJennifer]

There is a summersault menouver that can be done in the event of a short cord. It is never a good idea to cut the cord while baby is still in the birth canal because you cut off oxygen supply and shoulder dystocia is a risk with babies of any size.

Eta, great article!

[lizzie]

Originally Posted by Sheepdoc 

Found one of the cord clamping articles

http://midwifethinking.com/2010/08/26/the-placenta-essential-resuscitation-equipment/.

Yes, great article! Thanks for finding it and sharing. :)

[LadyJennifer]

Here's an article on dry heat sterilization. I've heard/read to keep the temp 350 or below and put a pan of water below the pouches, for the sterilization pouches.

http://www.engenderhealth.org/ip/instrum/inm11.html