Cutting the cord

[mariamamaof5]

I don't plan on cutting the cord for a few hours after birth but when I do where do I cut? I mean how much length do I leave? And would it need to be clamped? :)

[dayiscoming2006]

This has been asked recently... (by me) LOL. The answer I got was that you'll probably want to clamp/tie off/band as there is some residual blood left in the cord and that you show clamp/tie off/band about an inch or 2 from the baby and cut beyond that of course. HTH

[mariamamaof5]

Originally Posted by dayiscoming2006 

This has been asked recently... (by me) LOL. The answer I got was that you'll probably want to clamp/tie off/band as there is some residual blood left in the cord and that you show clamp/tie off/band about an inch or 2 from the baby and cut beyond that of course. HTH

Thanks! 

[moonfirefaery]

Wait until it stops pulsing/throbbing, tie it off with clean shoelaces or clamp it with cord clamps, then cut it between the two ties/clamps with a pair of clean scissors sterilized in the dishwasher or a pot of boiling water.

It's just a snip.

:)

[weliveintheforest]

I just posted this on another thread, but I'm going to use forceps and a cord ring.  It's a tiny little elastic band.  I've never done it before but I am not worried that it will be difficult, and I feel like it's worth the 20 bucks for forceps and a cord ring since I'd use the forceps again. 

[mariamamaof5]

Originally Posted by weliveintheforest 

I just posted this on another thread, but I'm going to use forceps and a cord ring.  It's a tiny little elastic band.  I've never done it before but I am not worried that it will be difficult, and I feel like it's worth the 20 bucks for forceps and a cord ring since I'd use the forceps again. 

That's something I will look into, thanks for the link!
 

[UnboxableMom]

Can anyone suggest any other sources for birth supplies than inhishands? I prefer not to purchase from a site with a religious affiliation.

[weliveintheforest]

It's in Canada, but I like this site http://www.midwiferysupplies.ca/

and this one is American http://www.1cascade.com/

[LadyJennifer]

I really liked www.custombirthkits.com. Great prices, quick shipping, and I got some free gifts:)

As for the cord thing, in the Emergency Childbirth he says sterile gauze is a great option (I wish I'd have known before buying the cord ties I bought, since I already have gauze) for tying off the cord.

Why does everyone mentione shoelaces? even clean it seems yuck to me, lol.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by LadyJennifer 

Why does everyone mentione shoelaces? even clean it seems yuck to me, lol.

Me too, and they are really thick/bulky and long too. I have also heard of dental floss, but ours is mint flavored LOL so that puts me off. I like the idea of hemp string but wouldn't know where to buy it and sounds a bit rough. The elastic ring sounds cool, but a bit of a pain. There was a thread ages back about not using anything at all and that it works really well. So I am probably leaning that way.

I hated the clamp the first time and then the midwife put one on against my wishes last time even though we had extensively discussed me NOT wanting to use the plastic clamp and she had been perfectly happy with it. I had some of my own plastic clamps for last birth just in case there was an emergency and I needed the blood flow clamped quickly. But this time I am really unsure what to use. 

[ElizabethE]

Hmm. I think maybe shoelaces come up for a couple of reasons. It's something most people have in the house, possibly even in extras (from where you've bought shoes that came with extras... not because everyone likes to run out and buy shoelaces all the time. lol). It's something that you know ties well, and it can be sterilized. I guess that it is practical and free? It may have started off as an "emergency" recommendation, something to do in a pinch if you don't have the right "equipment", and maybe evolved into the "hey, I only need shoelaces" kind of thing? I don't personally think it sounds too weird or anything, but I also don't find it appealing for myself, either. I have some cord clamps lying around that if we decide to have another baby, we may end up using.

[moonfirefaery]

I used shoelaces. I felt more comfortable putting cloth rather than plastic on my baby's placenta. They do not cost much and are easy to sterilize. They are disposable and biodegrade better than plastic. Cord clamps just seemed unnecessary and more...medical. I wanted to preserve a certain atmosphere. I just liked the idea of shoelaces best. It wasn't a major decision so I didn't put a lot of thought into it. I'd do it again. :)

[MittensKittens]

Originally Posted by moonfirefaery 

I used shoelaces. I felt more comfortable putting cloth rather than plastic on my baby's placenta. They do not cost much and are easy to sterilize. They are disposable and biodegrade better than plastic. Cord clamps just seemed unnecessary and more...medical. I wanted to preserve a certain atmosphere. I just liked the idea of shoelaces best. It wasn't a major decision so I didn't put a lot of thought into it. I'd do it again. :)

That's what 911 dispatchers tell folks who are having an unexpected UC too, apparently. The only thing, make sure they're clean and did not, you know, serve a few years on your actual shoes :).

[MittensKittens]

More about shoelaces and cord tying, from a birth blogger called Diana and with some nice links too, here:

http://birthingathome.blogspot.com/2011/02/just-for-fun.html

[prescottchels]

Logan, You can find hemp string at craft stores with the jewelry/beading supplies  :)

[MittensKittens]

Originally Posted by prescottchels 

Logan, You can find hemp string at craft stores with the jewelry/beading supplies  :)

Hey you! How are you? Haven't seen you in a while.