A new study has been published about a technique called “umbilical cord milking”. This is a method where blood from the umbilical cord is moved into a newborn’s body. It’s particularly beneficial for babies who are “nonvigorous” – meaning they’re a bit weak, pale, and not breathing much.

In the past, doctors found that this technique reduced the need for heart and respiratory support in these babies, compared to the standard practice of immediately clamping and cutting the cord. Now, a new study suggests that the benefits of umbilical cord milking might come from increased blood flow to the lungs and brain, and an increase in blood pumped from the heart. This is great news because it provides more reasons to use umbilical cord milking for nonvigorous near-term and full-term babies.

The study found that babies who underwent cord milking had more blood pumped from the left ventricle of the heart, which sends blood throughout the body. They also had more blood flowing to the heart from the superior vena cava (a large vein that brings blood to the heart from the upper body), and more blood from the right ventricle (the part of the heart that sends oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs).

The researchers believe that these increases in blood circulation might explain why babies who undergo cord milking are less likely to need heart and respiratory support, or have low brain oxygen levels. They also suggest that during labor, the umbilical cord might get compressed, causing a lot of blood to move from the baby to the placenta. Cord milking could help return much of this blood back to the baby.

In conclusion, the researchers support the use of umbilical cord milking in nonvigorous term and near-term babies, as it seems to have significant benefits for their heart, lungs, and brain.