The Timing of Umbilical Cord Clamping and Its Effect on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in a Private Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand

Background: The timing of umbilical cord clamping after birth is important to neonatal health, and immediate umbilical cord clamping may have negative effects on the newborn’s health. In 2017, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended a delay in umbilical cord clamping in vigorous term and preterm infants for at least 30 to 60 seconds after birth. Objective: To study the timing of umbilical cord clamping after birth and its effects on mothers and newborns in a private hospital. Methods: The descriptive prospective observational study was conducted in the labor ward of a private hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. A total of 159 pregnant women were purposively recruited during August 1, 2017, to September 30, 2017. The time after the birth of the umbilical cord clamping was observed and recorded without the knowledge of the obstetricians. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The mean time of the umbilical cord clamping was 6.20 ± 1.42 seconds (range, 2 - 10 seconds) after the birth which was shorter than the recommendation. No significant association was found between variables and the timing of the umbilical cord clamping. No significant adverse neonatal condition was found. Conclusions: This study found that time of umbilical cord clamping in a private hospital was shorter than the recommendation and no known side effect to newborns.