A 32-year-old member asked:
Should the midwife milk the cord to transfuse the baby?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

Dr. Kathleen Berchelmannanswered
Pediatrics 20 years experience
Perhaps: There are different views on cord milking during delivery. Cord milking, or pushing the blood in the umbilical cord back into the baby before cutting the cord, increases the baby's blood supply and lowers risk of anemia. Cord milking also increases risk of jaundice.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Maybe,maybe not : Although this can raise the newborns blood hemoglobin content, excessive milking can create a thickened blood in baby and lead to problems.In experienced hands, this is not a problem, but the pediatrician may monitor the effect by testing the babies blood.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Stephen Richards commented
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Placing the baby on mom's tummy and waiting for the cord to quit pulsating in better than milking the cord.
May 25, 2014
Last updated Dec 20, 2014
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