Stop early cord clamping expert says

A medical expert is calling for the procedure of clamping the umbilical cords of newborns straight after birth to be changed.

Currently, obstetricians and midwives follow guidelines set down by the UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommending early cord clamping.

But Dr David Hutchon, a retired consultant obstetrician has been published on the British Medical Journal website saying best practice should fall in line with guidance from the World Health Organisation and the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics to stop early cord clamping.

He is concerned that babies could experience hypovolaemia – severe blood loss – due to very early clamping.

He says: “Clamping the functioning umbilical cord at birth is an unproven intervention. Lack of awareness of current evidence, pragmatism, and conflicting guidelines are all preventing change. To prevent further injury to babies we would be better to rush to change.”