In a message dated 1/4/99 1:38:11 PM, you wrote:

<<Please remember, an infant placed on his/her mother's abdomen after birth is
HIGHER than the placenta and uterus.  The blood will drain away from the
infant causing anemia - which is why most OBs cut the cord so quickly.  In
order for the "natural" process to occur, the infant and placenta must be
level.  Kathy D : is there any cross cultural or historic data on cord cutting
rituals?
Nancy Wight MD, FAAP, IBCLC
Noenatology>>

Nancy,  I've been asked by childbirth students how the blood could drain away
from the infant if its heart is pumping that blood...wouldn't it still
continue to flow from the placenta to the baby since it is being pumped by the
infant's heart?  Thank you for elaborating.....

Janaki Costello, IBCLC, ICCE, C.D.
El Cerrito, CA.