I'm sorry if this question sounds naive or has been asked before, but it's something that I can't get out of my head and I just had to ask someone who's been there...

After my son is born, I would like to delay cord clamping at least until the placenta is delivered, but would also like him on my chest and left to self attach etc. Every time I imagine this, it seems very awkward as I don't imagine the cord being long enough to allow this.

Am I being silly or is it really an issue? Are some cords longer than others? Will I just have to settle for having him on my tummy until the placenta is delivered? How did you do it?

TIA smile

Don't know about others but my cord was long enough. I birthed my daughter in the car so I had to get out the car, onto a hospital bed, baby placed on my chest then taken into the hospital to the labor room to have the cord cut and placenta delivered. So I'm imagining it is long enough. Mind you, feels weird if it pulls and you feel it hanging out of you. Bloody weird as feeling.

OMG... that's a hilarious mental image! Probably not so funny at the time though :-S

Thanks for the reply... it's been a while since I've had a baby, I'm kind of feeling like a first time mum again (and it's really scary!!! lol)

We delayed the cord clamping for DS2. I had a physiological 3rd stage, (no drugs to encourage the uterus to expel the placenta) so the middy encouraged breastfeeding to help the uterus to contract. After about 20mins, nothing much had happened, so I moved to the toilet (upright, open position) and the placenta passed in about 5mins.

Cord wasn't an issue at all.

Good luck on a safe and happy birth.

Sorry if I sound naive but could you explain in a nutshell the benefits of delaying cord clamping? I'm interested smile

I delayed cord clamping twice and I didn't have any problems with the cord not being long enough smile

Thanks all for the replies. I felt a bit silly asking, but I just had this image of myself after birth completely doubled over trying to keep eveything together iykwim?

I should know by now... mother nature's got it sorted, she wouldn't allow such an obvious design floor wink

Nic+Caleb+1 - My basic understanding is that it allows time for the blood from the placenta to go back into bub which is good because it brings lots of extra nutrients with it, particularly iron (it bumps up their iron stores for up to 4 months after birth - important for BF bubs).

cords can be all different lengths, but usually they are long enough to hold bubs while you birth the placenta. smile

with my dd2 my midwife was the one who suggested delayed cord clamping untill then id never heard of it. in my case the cord wasnt long enough for her to be on my chest to feed so she was put straight on my tummy as far as i could reach. to this day i can remember the feeling of the cord pulsing extremely wierd lol.

lol... thanks tonz... now I'm worried again tongue

j/k... I'm sure either way everything will be fine, if it's not long enough he'll have to be happy on my tummy for a little while.

he will be happy on your tummy. wink

I had wanted a physiological 3rd stage but my contractions had started to go all over the show at the end so had the injection, but they still put her on my chest and she fed before they clamped and cut the cord, I think it was about 1/2 hour after she was born that they clamped and cut cord then placenta came strait out (such a relief after having had a retained placenta for 1st) I totally recommend waiting, it was when they clamped and hubby cut cord that we looked and saw what we got. I was in a semi-reclined position so duno if this helps with cord length and stuff. The whole thing was amazing, after everything had been kinda frenzied with my first (her heart rate dropped when i was pushing then they snapped the cord - gggrr) my midwife knew I wanted a much calmer, slower experience with the immediate post birth. I really think having everything slowed down and happening much more naturally helped with bonding. I didnt even notice the cord or feel it when they put her on me. Good luck grin

Thanks kenzima... what a beautiful story!

Had such horrid births with my first 2, I want to do everything I can to be prepared and no be bullied into doing things their way iykwim?

TOTALLY! I was a bit of a bossy tart with the second one! roll eyes I would definately recommend birth support person / doula. we had one for second and she was AMAZING. She got there before husband, massaged by back, as it was homebirth her and my husband teamworked it to support me and get things done - like run a bath / heat towels. She also took lots of photos (we never got any of 1st til 24 hours old) so it was important to me (not of birth but strait after) so it took pressure off hubby, he could just soak up the moment with me. Also support person took me to shower and helped me so hubby could curl up with bub and snuggle. He really liked it, she didnt interfere or take over, Mike didnt feel like his role in it was gone, he loved having her there and said it made it heaps less stressful for him - he said when we go round 3 he definately wants her there again - me to!

Their role is to help make it special like mine but to also act as your advocate should the need arise so you dont get pressured into anything, they meet with you and find out what your dead against, only if nec, open to, hope for and definately want

Talk to your midwife and state exactly what you want, why the last 2 were bad and what is important to you.
Good luck!

lol @ "bossy tart" ... when you're in labour it doesn't count wink

I have thought about a doula and reading your post definitely makes me want one! Will be having a hospital birth as bub has been high risk from the get-go (history of prem + anemia and blood transfusions at 18 weeks) but I still want to maintain some level of control!!!

Thank you for your positive posts... I'm getting excited about my birth already (and not just because this pregnancy has sucked so hard lol)