Re: [ozmidwifery] question

[Jenny Cameron]

Cord pH's reflect circumstances intrauterine not postpartum When the cord blood is collected immediately at birth for pH estimation it is to gauge as accurately as possible the pH at the moment of birth where the baby receives its last lot of oxygentated blood via the utero-placental circulation. After birth the cord does still pulsate and the baby does receive some blood volume but the pH of this blood is probably acidotic and is poor in oxygen, one study demonstrated zero oxygen, because there is no longer any utero-placental circulation. This is part of the stimulation for the baby to breathe, but the baby is receiving some circulatory volume.   Jennifer Cameron FRCNA FACM PO Box 1465 Howard Springs NT 0835 08 8983 1926 0419 528 717     ----- Original Message ----- From: Anne Clarke To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 7:24 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] question Dear Susan,   You could say to them if this is so why do they rely so much on cord ph's ?  One would think when the baby was born and the pulsating cord was still not supplying the baby effectively the cord blood (venous and arterial) was null and void to provide an estimation of oxygenation for the babe.   Regards Anne Clarke Queensland ----- Original Message ----- From: Susan Cudlipp To: midwifery list Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 9:30 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] question I have a question for you wise ozmidders. I was having a discussion today with one of our obstetricians regarding cord clamping, and the benefits to the baby of delaying this until pulsations cease.  When I mentioned the benefit of the baby recieving oxygenated blood via the pulsating cord which could assist it's transition to independent respiration particularly if it was compromised (etc etc)  the obs was of the view that the pulsations could NOT be providing oxygenated blood because the uterus would have contracted down and the placenta could no longer be getting oxygen from mother's circulation. Now I know that I have read reams on this and this is stated to be one of the benefits, but I could not answer that particular question physiologically and convincingly. The point was also raised that in shoulder dystocia, babies die of asphyxiation, which (obs opinion) would not happen if they were recieving oxygen via the cord.  I did print off George Morley's excellent papers for this Dr to read but would very much welcome anything that can show that the baby would still be receiving oxygenated blood post birth.   TIA Sue     "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" Edmund Burke __________ NOD32 1.1289 (20051116) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.11.9/70 - Release Date: 29/09/2005