Umbilical Cord Clamp Essential Tool for Safe Newborn Delivery

Umbilical cord clamp are one of the important birthing equipment used in cord management after child birth. Their primary purpose is to close the cord securely to avoid any excessive blood loss and also for the safety of the newborn.

Key Importance of Umbilical cord clamp

Use of Sterile Devices: Umblical cord manufactured in a clean environment and this makes it impossible for the general population to get cheap umbilical cord clamp which is unsterile. Keeping the mother clean during these operations is also very pertinent in the effort of keeping the baby healthy. During this period a lot of mothers contract different kinds of infections.

Early Clamping after Delivery: Rationale It is suggested that cord clamping occurs at approximately one to three minutes after the actual delivery of the neonate, although practices may differ according to policies for perinatal care’ (NICE 2010 p78). This is done because the delay allows some more blood to transfuse from the placenta to the child which is beneficial in enhancing blood iron stores for the newborn and also in assisting proper blood circulation.

Child restraining and flooding control: Clamping also makes sure that there is no likelihood of postnatal hemorrhage for the mother and the infant preventing blood loss to the infant which is crucial for the baby’s adjustment to the external environment.

Isolation: As well as providing a cover wrap, pads will be placed against the area where the cord has been cut and will be kept in place without movement at all. This extends the period and helps to reduce the possibility of wounds getting infected. Adherence to skin microorganisms to these parts is inhibited, reducing the chances of external contamination.

Use and Design Umblical cord clamp

User-friendly Device: Most umbilical cord clamp are of a more or less simplistic type that can be easily and quickly fixed by the physician during the so called ‘crowning’ period, where little time is available to safely and effectively perform a number of activities.

Material Variants: Many of them are one time use plastic but metal ones are also there which can be autoclaved and reused. Each of these serve the same general purpose but may vary in practicality and preference depending on the healthcare professional.

Types of Umbilical Clamp

Clamps Made of Plastic for Single Use Only: This type of clamps is widely used in the hospitals today. They are light in weight and convenient for use since they are disposed after a single use eliminating chances of infection control.

Re-Usable Steel Clamps – These are not common in practice today but can be cleaned and used again. They are a better option as they are not flimsy however, more focus must be on cleanliness.

Post Delivery Care Cord

Taking care of the Cord – After clamping, healthcare providers monitor the remaining umbilical cord for healthy healing and any issues that might arise as it falls off naturally, which is usually after 1 to 2 weeks.

Involving Family: Parents are frequently given instructions on how to deal with the umbilical stump including advice on how to keep it free from moisture and dirt to avoid any issues.