Photo credit: www.appleblossomfamilies.com The umbilical cord has connected the baby to the placenta for the last 9 months. It has helped to provide the baby with everything the baby needs. Even after birth the umbilical cord and placenta continue to provide blood, stem cells and T cells to the baby through their connection. Cord burning, instead of cutting the cord, can be a gentle and respectful way to sever the bonds between the placenta, umbilical cord and baby. It can also be a safe and sanitary way for people without access to sterile scissors. Traditionally it is a beautiful and usually spiritual ceremony that honors the role of the placenta and umbilical cord to the baby and gently and slowly servers the connection between the three. Research shows that delayed cord clamping/cutting has many positive benefits (even for premature babies). Delaying even 3 minutes has a great impact on the baby, specifically their iron levels. ACOG now recommends delayed cord clamping and cutting. Cord burning can be a gentle and effective way to delay cord clamping. What You Will Need:
If you would like to read a birth story that includes a cord burning ceremony - click here Link for cord burning box set: Moontide Midwifery Shop (*I am not affiliated with this shop.) Picture on the right: photo credit to Oxytocin Space Cool Facts About the Umbilical Cord:
Sources Cited & Resources:
- Placenta the Forgotten Chakra by Robin Lim (buy it on Amazon here) - American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists: delayed cord clamping recommendations - PDF: Umbilical cord clamping is not a physiological necessity: Hutchon 2010, BJM April 2010, Vol 18, No. 4. - Research: Effect of delayed versus early umbilical cord clamping on neonatal outcomes and iron status at 4 months: a randomized controlled trial - Research Review: Late versus early clamping of the umbilical cord in full ter neonates - World Health Organization: Recommendations on delayed cord clamping - Research: Stem cells in the umbilical cord - Scientific Impact Paper: Clamping of the umbilical cord and placental transfusion - Birth Takes a Village: more information on cord burning
0 Comments
|
AuthorDoula Rachel has put together a blog of resources, info-graphics, and articles, with an occasional self-published blog. Enjoy! Archives
March 2020
Categories
All
|