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Wait! Don’t cut that cord so fast! Nation’s OB’s change umbilical cord cutting guidelines.

After looking at the data, the nation’s most highly regarded OB/GYN organization (ACOG) has released new guidelines on the right time to clamp and cut the umbilical cord after delivery. Studies show that both premature and full term infants benefit from the extra blood flowing from placenta to newborn for 30-60 seconds after delivery.

So, unless there is some medical issue that requires immediate attention to the newborn, the updated advice is to wait for 30-60 seconds to cut that cord. The main downside to this new advice? Fewer babies will be able to have cord blood collected and stored for potential use down the road. It also may increase the risk of babies becoming slightly more jaundiced in the first days of life.

If you are having a baby anytime soon, you can ask your OB more about this new guideline–especially if storing cord blood is a priority for you.

For more info on these guidelines, check out this link to the American Academy of Pediatrics (who is supporting ACOG’s advice.)

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