Cutting the Cord

Oh the decisions you have to make as a parent...

It seemed a lot easier with our daughter.  This boy, not quite so.  And it is probably because I am becoming more educated and research thing more then with her.  And in 6+ years things change a lot.

This blogs subject - "Cutting the Cord"

Not the act of actually cutting the cord but WHEN to cut the cord.

This baby, we have decided to NOT cut the cord right after delivery.  With our daughter, hubby cut the cord right away.  We did not do cord blood banking and we did not donate the cord blood.  It was a waste.  But I didn't know better back then.

Researching now, I have found so many things benefit to both baby and to mom for waiting just 5 MINUTES after the baby is born to cut the cord.

1.) Up to 1/3 of the baby's blood is inside the cord/placenta

2.) Why not give your baby its own stem cells at birth rather then banking it on the off chance they would need it or not need it down the road?  or donating it?

PLUS...

• Increased levels of iron
• Lower risk of anemia
• Fewer transfusions, and
• Fewer incidences of intraventricular hemorrhage

So after talking with my husband about it, saying "I know this sounds a little unconventional, but what do you think about this..." He seems to be 100% on board.  It is not something practiced in hospitals unless specifically requested.  I will make sure this detail is BOLD in our birth plan.

I had originally planned to donate the cord blood.  It seemed like such a waste after it was just discarded of with our daughter.  Wish we'd have known all this before she was born, but glad we know now with this baby.