Concerns about umbilical cord clamping

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Evidence versus opinion

Increased prevalence of childhood disorders

Dependency and need for lifelong care

Factors in need of closer examination

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g) The current common cultural understanding of "umbilical cord" may primarily be the connection an astronaut needs to the mother-ship while out on a space walk, with electronic sensors and signals to maintain air flow and optimum oxygen supply.  How far removed we are from helping with human birth at home or observing birth of farm animals.

Pulsations in the umbilical cord of a newborn child signal that oxygen and/or additional blood volume are still needed from the mother.  Most infants do breathe within seconds after birth, thus gain the placental transfusion needed for activation of the lungs [5].  For those few who are slow to take the first breath, White's comment on neonatal transition bears repeating:

"The lungs must be fully expanded with air, and the whole mass of blood instead of one fourth part be circulated through them; the ductus venosus, foramen ovale, ductus arteriosus, and the umbilical arteries and vein must all be closed, and the mode of circulation in the principal vessels entirely altered – Is it possible that this wonderful alteration in the human machine should be properly brought about in one instant of time, and at the will of a by-stander?"  –  White 1773, p 45 [9].

Posted: February 27, 2006 (a work in progress)

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