Because we're so eager to cut the cord before it becomes limp, we make sure to clamp it in two places first, and cut between the clamps. If we didn't, baby and mother would bleed, potentially very, very seriously.
I don't know of any other mammal that has access to cord clamps.
Found this on-line:
"In two articles; "Care of the Umbilical Cord. A review of the evidence" http://www.who.int/rht/documents/MSM98-4/MSM-98-4.htm and "Recommended practical guidelines in Normal Birth Care" http://www.who.int/rht/documents/MSM96-24/msm9624.htm the authors, and the conclusions and recommendations, state that early or relatively early clamping of the cord is mandatory after oxytocin administration is practiced. The reason for this statement is to avoid the transfer of different drugs, (administered to the mother during childbirth), to the newborn via the Umbilical Cord. The practice of administering drugs to the mother during childbirth is common in most developed countries. In developing countries or home childbirth, when no drugs are used, it is suggested that clamping be delayed, even until cessation of peristaltic movements in the cord."
The red color is theirs, not mine. Interesting that the very last sentence isn't also done in red. But then, I got it from a cord clamp manufacturer's site...
I wouldn't have thought to caution mothers that one side effect of an epidural could be anemia in her child a half year later, because of the rush to clamp the cord. Yet another example of a cascade of events.
Here's a dog's approach. Note how flaccid the cord is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tr3aORrxXU
And here's one chimp's approach:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKPEsHvzO6k
Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC, LLLL Ithaca, NY USA
www.wiessinger.baka.com
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