Mother and Child; Good Health Lesson 22

MOTHER AND CHILD; GOOD HEALTH LESSON 22
HOW TO CUT THE CORD SAFELY AFTER BIRTH IN EMERGENCY SITUATION
Many years ago I had just started working in a Squatter camp when the women of the Camp came to tell me a desperately sad story. The week before I began working in the Camp, a baby was born to one of the women in the camp, who had been trying to have a baby for years. Both she and her husband were delighted. However, after the home birth, in the absence of any health professionals and with no assistance or health knowledge, they cut the cord off straight after the birth directly at the navel, and the baby bled to death.

Since that day I was told that story, I have firmly believed that every young girl and couple should have full knowledge of what to do in the absence of health professionals in the event of birth. The ideal is to deliver baby with a full panel of Health Professionals and Hospital equipment available in case of need. However, in desperately poor areas and war torn areas this is not always the case.

HOW DO YOU CUT CORD SAFELY
So; how do you cut the cord safely after birth in emergency situation?
As Charity Worker or Minister, it is best to have an accredited qualification as to how to deliver babies in emergency situations.

At birth the umbilical cord is approximately 2.5cm thick and 50 cm in length. It contains two arteries and one vein. It is enclosed and protected by a thick gristle-like substance called Wharton's Jelly. The cord contains no nerves (similar to your hair or fingernails) - so when the cord is cut no pain is experienced by either mother or baby.
At some stage after baby is born, the cord is cut in order to separate baby from the placenta.  

So; After baby is safely born and is breathing, allow some time before cutting the cord. Allow the cord to stop beating and become thin and white. Then tie the cord in two places with a clean/sterile tie, and about 3cm away from the baby. Use a new blade or new sterile scissors to cut between the ties - never use an old blade or dirty scissors. The freshly cut cord attached to the baby must then always be kept clean and dry until it drops off after some days  (typically within 2 weeks after the birth - Mayo Clinic).
 
Animation video link below shows 10 steps to a clean delivery cord cut.

DOCTOR OR MIDWIFE?
As a Doctor or Midwife, you have an invaluable qualification. Perhaps Divine Providence has led you to read these words; Why not donate some time and your services pro deo through the services of a Charity to deliver babies/ train midwives in poverty stricken areas? 

ONE HEART WORLD-WIDE
Every year, women and infants die in childbirth. One Heart World-Wide has developed a unique model to prevent the deaths of mothers and their children in remote rural areas of the world. Why not donate toward their wonderful work? (Link below)


10 steps to a clean delivery cord cut
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjXZvIehZfw

Caring for baby's umbilical stump
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a127/caring-for-your-babys-umbilical-stump

Clamping and cutting of the cord
http://www.birth.com.au/an-overview-of-a-natural-3rd-stage-of-labour/clamping-and-cutting-of-the-cord?p=1#.Uzx726Jc5pg 

Delaying cutting umbilical cord
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2359511/Delaying-cutting-umbilical-cord-minutes-better-babys-health.html

One Heart World-Wide 
http://oneheartworld-wide.org/ 

One Heart World-Wide Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/OneHeartWorldWide/app_2309869772?filter=2

Donate to One Heart World-Wide
http://www.oneheartworld-wide.org/index.php/donate/ 

Umbilical Cord
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/umbilical-cord/art-20048250

 With thanks to Youtube, Babycentre, Birthcom, Dailymail, Oneheartworldwide, Mayoclinic

 *Disclaimer; Please note that the information on this Health Post is not meant to replace your Doctor or Health Professional care