Umbilical cord ‘milking’ cuts brain injury risk for babies born limp


Squeezing nutrient-rich blood from the umbilical wire into infants who’re born pale or struggling to breathe improves well being outcomes

Well being



19 September 2022

New born baby boy with umbilical cord assisted by midwife ; Shutterstock ID 1103699267; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Ready to clamp the umbilical wire permits extra nutrient-rich blood to enter a new child’s physique – however there isn’t at all times time in emergencies

Shutterstock / Sopotnicki

Squeezing blood from the umbilical wire previous to chopping it could possibly enhance the well being of infants who’re born limp, pale or barely respiratory.  

As a matter of routine, medical doctors usually wait a couple of minutes after beginning earlier than chopping the umbilical wire. This observe, often known as delayed wire clamping, permits extra nutrient-rich blood to switch from the placenta to the new child child. 

But when a new child is …