Cutting the umbilical cord too early could risk the health of the baby

In some cultures one of the first things that happens to a baby within the first few minutes of their life is having their cord clamped. A UK medical professional suggests that early cord clamping can be somewhat dangerous and in some cases lead to death.

When a beautiful new born baby enters this world they embark on a miraculous journey. The human body of a female is designed perfectly to home and harbor a tiny human being. The very process from conception to birth is made up of thousands of changes that are dependant upon millions of variables and yet babies are born daily. On entering this world a baby is faced with many challenges; cord clamping can challenge the newborn's immune system and present new unwanted health problems.

A medical professional in UK; Dr. David Hutchon, a retired consultant obstetrician from Memorial Hospital in Darlington suggests that early cord clamping has many negative side effects. Hutchon explains that early cord clamping can increase the newborns chance of becoming iron deficient, anemic or having unhealthy blood loss. In server cases Hutchon said that early cord clamping can generate shock and possibly even lead to death.

In both the UK and the USA early cord clamping is very common so many OB's will comment that early cord clamping is the way it is done and that there is little to worry about it. The fact is very little research has been done to determine whether early cord clamping is related to the health concerns described by Hutchon.

You do not have to have your child's cord clamped immediately but if you are concerned and want it to happen a little later then make sure a conversation happens between yourself and your doctor. Be specific and clear in your desires so there is no miscommunication.