Delay cutting the cord: Study

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/194281

But waiting at least two minutes would allow precious red and white blood cells to be transferred to the infant from the placenta before it is expelled from the womb, says Hutton, whose study was published yesterday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

" ...The baby's born and the next thing you do is clamp the cord, and people haven't really thought about whether this is a good thing or not a good thing."

But delaying the cut could protect against anemia and irregular breathing for weeks and months after delivery, she said.

"If you increase the overall volume of blood (in the infant), you're increasing the iron stores and the number of red blood cells," Hutton said. "Also, the white blood cells, which contribute to immunities." The study could change the way babies are delivered in this country, said Dr. Donald Davis, president of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada.

For the parents-to-be, perhaps have a chat with your OB/mid-wife?

Here's an excellent book that discusses that issue as well as many others.....We waited until the cord stopped pulsing and then I snipped it.

http://www.amazon.com/Birth-Without-.../dp/0892815450