Why wait until the cord stops pulsating?

[kimbo]

Hi Everyone

I have read quite a few birth plans over the last 18 months and was wondering why people request to wait until the cord stops pulsating until they cut the cord?

I have always beeen intrigued by this as it had never ocurred to me until I joined Bubhub and read it in example birth plans but to be honest I have no idea why some parents like to wait.

I was hoping some of you knowledgeable people out there could enlighten me please.

[mumx3littlies]

As far as I know it is to let the bub adjust to being out of the womb and in the air etc cos its totally different environment and to allow them to start breathing etc on their own before cord is cut ...i cud be wrong but thats what I thought the reason was ... all 3 of our bubs had cord cut after it stopped pulsating

[punkbaby]

Can they refuse and just cut it or are they pretty cool with you asking them to wait till it stops?

[KarniF00l]

Its called a Lotus birth.

Some people want a natural birth completely without intervention (including knives to cut cord). It allows a transition also. In the time that the cord and placenta dries, it allows for a transition for baby, mother and family. The wrap it up in cloth, allowing air to pass through and takes 3-10 after birth for it to fall off naturally.

Its a ritual which is becoming more and more common where some people choose to plant the placenta under a tree to resemble 'a new life'.

ETA: Oh whoops just read your post properly this time.. The placenta holds all the goodness so when the baby is out all that is passed back into the baby.. the cord then stops pulsating and is cut. I think that's right, don't quote me on it though.

[zenifa]

One of the other benefits to bubs with waiting for the cord to stop pulsating and then cutting is that all of the precious cord blood will flow to the baby. This is especially a good idea if you aren't doing cord blood banking. It can be done with a c/s too, not just a vag birth or lotus birth.

[Funkychicken]

We waited for the cord to finish pulsating before DH cut it. It was probably about 10 minutes, I think. The midwives have no problem with this and can not say no. It is your choice.

Juts to clarify a lotus birth though-the cord is not cut at all. It stays attached to the placenta and after you have delivered the placenta, like Karni said, it is wrapped in something (often a parent will make a special bag with a water-proof lining to contain the placenta) and stays with the baby until it detaches from the baby of it's own accord. Much like the stump of the cord if it has been cut. This can take anywhere from roughly 3-10 days.
So the baby and the placenta stay together until nayure takes over.
Many people will then bury the placenta under a special plant or freeze it until such time as a plant is selected. Some mums do eat small amounts of the placenta daily-this is said to assist in preventing baby blues and/or PND.
Google lotus birth if you want to know more about it or do a search on BH as there are a number threads on the forum.

[FunkyMonkey]

I stopped the middies from cutting the cord early, I'd never read anything about lotus birth then, but if I had I would have def done it. We waited till his stopped pulsating then my sister cut it. I didn't even want to touch it. I'd read that early cutting can cause anemic babies, that sicken easily. I didn't want that to happen.
Next bub will be a lotus birth

[KarniF00l]

Tarquins' Mum - I'm the same, I want a Lotus birth for this one but DH isn't too crash hot with the idea. I even asked if he would consider to at least wait until the cord stops pulsating and he said "No, Dakota did just fine.. and we aren't hippies" WTF That's is the most insensitive thing I've ever heard come out of his mouth.

I still have months to convince him. Even still, It is MY birth after all. *puts foot down firmly*

Does anyone know how long it takes roughly for the cord to stop pulsating ?

[elissas]

Just like colostrum, cord blood is also referred to as liquid gold. It's great if bubs can get every little skerrick of it, it's so good for them. It's terrible if the blood goes to waste.

Obviously banking it is also a great idea, but I figure why not let bubs have all the benefits - at least you know that it's all getting used and that it's giving your precious little one a little extra kickstart to life

[draught]

Interestingly my OB pointed out, quite logically, that they don't get any more cord blood no matter when you cut the cord as it is a closed circuit with blood flowing both ways - there is no way of increasing the amount that flows in either direction.

That being said, it doesn't hurt them to leave it pulsating and certainly adds to the calmness of the birth.