Hi ladies,

I'm 37+1 and am just jotting a few things down for my birth plan (a little late I know!). A couple of people have forwarded me their birth plans and they all make a point of asking for the cord to stop pulsing/being left to pulse for a bit before it's cut.

I've never heard this before, what's the thinking behind it? Might it be distressing for the baby if the cord is still pulsing and it's cut?? :\?

i'd never heard of this either til today and i've had my baby! havent got a clue what the thinking behind it is! x

hi. it just means that baby will recieve all the nutrients and oxgen in that blood whilst still attached to you.
with my 5 i have always had the cord cut straight away and had the syntocinon injection to deliver the placenta to reduce the risk of bleeding. the placenta can't be delivered ubtil the cord has been cut, so it's definately something to think about. hope this helps.
might be an idea to chat to your mw about your thoughts. xx

I think its to let all of the blood etc pass through to the baby and let it become fully independent before cutting it off from yourself.

I decided to do this with my last baby but to be honest it just made it drag out even longer!

I'm sure someone on here can give more concise answers cos i cant actually remember why i did it LOL!!

Hiya - apparently there is another half pint of blood in the cord which is intended for the baby with lots of good oxygen and food. Therefore, if it is cut then that is completely wasted. The cord continues to pulsate for a while after the birth because the body does intend the baby to have it but modern medicine has kinda 'disregarded' that due to time constraints and busy labour wards. I think that this time i will wait for a natural 3rd stage or at least until the cord is empty before cutting, but last time didnt have a choice because of traumatic birth. It can only help the baby, but we dont all have the choice at the time do we? xxx

thats y if u dnt u can donate ur babies cord . it supposd to help other bbies with birth defects and blood loss problems among other things.nt started it wer i am but they have in london.. i hope they give me the chance to donate my sons!
u never no one day them blood cells could help ur child
pretty amazing wt they can do now!

Hi Ladies
After the birth of Joe, 4 weeks ago i was told they wait 40 seconds after baby is born before cutting the cord unless something is wrong. The reason they told me this is i gave birth on all fours and Joe was behind me, i was so weak i couldnt lift my leg over the cord to get to him and i wanted to cut it myself (oh didnt want to) i said for them to do it in the end as i just couldnt move.. and they said we'll have to wait 40 seconds. Not sure if this is standard practice or just in my hospital.. Darlington Memorial.