History of Cord Clamping in the UK

Hello,

My chosen topic for my midwifery dissertation is delayed cord clamping and I am wanting to start off my dissertation by focussing on the history of cord clamping. I have a quote from Darwin which is really good but I am wanting to find a reliable source of information on when cord clamping was introduced to practice and just wondered if anyone has read anything or seen anything that they can share? I would be really grateful as it would really help me!

Thank you

1954! Wow! Thank you, I'll send her a message x

I'd imagine that early cord clamping was routinely done in order to aid the obstetricians or doctors rather than it be anything research based! My guess is that it happened with the movement into a more medicalised healthcare service! Who knows though- id love to read more about it- I think you've just inspired me!!!
Didn't they used to use cat-gut or something to tie it?? :-S

Hang on, you're starting your dissertation now? Your status says you've just been accepted! That's some forward thinking!!! -although a word of warning- just make sure you know what form the dissertations take-a literature review, a critique etc. you don't want good work gone to waste! But definitely definitely read read read!
Good luck! If you find anything interesting let me know-I am lost without my Athens account now! (and ive no idea where the hospital library is!)

I'm in my final year, I dont come on here often hence my status staying the same. I started uni in 2009! My dissertation is similar to a lit review, I'm clear on my focus just need more on the history.

Pretty sure theres reference to the St Kilda inhaitants maybe using horse-hair rope to tie off the umbilical cord, and applying fulmar oil to aid healing- though thats not definitive, as the island midwives were extremely secretive about their practices and the one 'outside' midwife only lasted 7 years or so because she was regarded with such suspicion....even though none of the babies she looked after died of tetanus!

Oh very interesting! I was hoping to find out more info on when cord clamping became the norm in midwifery practice - why it was introduced and the evidence behind - like when it all started. I think at one point prior to 1980 delayed cord clamping was widely practised but not any more. x

My 1975 copy of Myles discusses whether or not the cord should be clamped and doesn't appear to recommend either although it does finsih by saying that early clamping reduces exposure of the wet infant. There is also mention ofsprayning the cord with polybactrin spray although I don't know what that is!!

If you want to go right back though, The Midwives Book by Jane Sharp was the first published midwifery text by a midwife (as opposed to how physicians thought midwives should practice) which was published in 1671 and is available as a replica reprint. Book IV Chapter IV discusses "When and how to cut off a childs navel-string and what is the consequent thereof".... she believed that cutting the cord kept the blood and spirit in the child, and should be performed asap after birth. If the baby is weak, she says to squeeze some blood from the cord towards the navel before cutting and then squeezing some drops of blood from the cut cord into the baby's mouth!! The cord should be cut four fingers from the navel although some believed the length of the remaining cord affected the baby's later life. She also includes some myths etc for things to do with the cord after cutting.

It's a fascinating book and really useful for essays, I love it!!