Objective To investigate the safety of umbilical cord milking on both the mother and neonate among very preterm deliveries of less than 33 weeks of gestation. Methods Pregnant women who were expected to deliver at between 24 0/7 and 32 6/7 weeks of gestation were randomized to either the umbilical cord milking or immediate cord clamping group. Maternal and neonatal data associated with delive...

While it is now recognized that umbilical cord clamping (UCC) at birth is not necessarily an innocuous act, there is still much confusion concerning the potential benefits and harms of this common procedure. It is most commonly assumed that delaying UCC will automatically result in a time-dependent net placental-to-infant blood transfusion, irrespective of the infant's physiological state. Whet...

S.N., a healthy 22-year-old gravida 2 para 1 at 38 2/7 weeks’ gestation, was admitted to the hospital in active labor. Her history and prenatal course were uncomplicated. Contractions began 10 hours before her arrival at the hospital. Her vaginal examination on arrival was 5 cm dilatation, 50% effaced, and –2 station of the vertex, with intact membranes. Her contractions were occurring every 3 ...

IMPORTANCE Prevention of iron deficiency in infancy may promote neurodevelopment. Delayed umbilical cord clamping (CC) prevents iron deficiency at 4 to 6 months of age, but long-term effects after 12 months of age have not been reported. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of delayed CC compared with early CC on neurodevelopment at 4 years of age. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Follow-u...

Evidence supporting delayed cord clamping (DCC) in the premature newborn is increasing, yet in a level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU); DCC was not being consistently performed, and when it was there were noted variations in the absence of a standardized guideline. The objective of this quality improvement (QI) project was to develop and secure institutional approval of a DCC guideline f...