Delayed Clamping Improves Placenta Transfusion, Reduces Iron Deficiency

Birth can be a traumatic and emotional experience for mother and child. For the newborn in particular, how he or she enters the world may determine future health issues.

A recent study conducted by researchers from Argentina looks at how delayed clamping by up to two minutes could help push blood flow from the placenta to the baby and prevent iron deficiency.

"Iron deficiency in newborn babies and children is a serious public health problem in low-income countries, and also prevalent in countries from North America and western Europe," said lead author Nestor Vain, of the Foundation for Maternal and Child Health in Buenos Aires, via a press release.

As it stands, current guidelines suggest that the baby be held at the level of the mother's placenta before the umbilical cord is cut, according to HealthDay. Unfortunately, this position can be uncomfortable for the person holding the newborn. It also interferes with intial contact between the mother and her baby, which can lead to an increased risk of iron deficiency. To prevent a pause in bonding that also won't disrupt blood flow, Vain recommends a different approach. 

"A mother would prefer to have the baby on top of her," Vain said, via The New York Times. "And that doesn't change the amount of placental transfusion, and facilitates the procedure for the obstetrician." 

For the study, researchers examined 197 babies who were held in the currently recommended position and 194 who were placed on their mother's chest or stomach immediately following birth. Both groups had similar amounts of blood transferred from the mother's placenta.

"Our study suggests that when umbilical cord clamping is delayed for two minutes, holding the baby on the mother's chest or abdomen is no worse than the currently recommended practice of holding the baby below this level," Vain added, via HealthDay. "Because of the potential of enhanced bonding between mother and baby, increased success of breast-feeding and the compliance with the procedure, holding the infant by the mother immediately after birth should be strongly recommended."

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More information regarding the findings can be seen via The Lancet.