Clamping the umbilical cord with a peg after childbirth serves several crucial purposes:
1. Prevention of Bleeding: Clamping the cord helps prevent excessive bleeding from the umbilical vessels once they are no longer needed for blood circulation between the baby and the placenta.
2. Establishing Independence: Clamping and cutting the cord symbolically and practically marks the baby's transition to independent breathing and functioning. It separates the baby from the placenta, which supplied oxygen and nutrients during pregnancy.
3. Facilitating Resuscitation: If the baby requires resuscitation or medical attention immediately after birth, clamping the cord allows medical professionals to quickly assess and attend to the baby's needs without interference from placental circulation.
4. Promotion of Thermoregulation: Clamping the cord helps initiate skin-to-skin contact and bonding between the baby and the parent(s), which is crucial for maintaining the baby's body temperature and promoting breastfeeding.
5. Preventing Infection: Once the cord is clamped and cut, the stump left attached to the baby's belly dries and eventually falls off, reducing the risk of infection at the umbilical site.
Overall, clamping the umbilical cord with a peg is a standard practice in modern childbirth that contributes to the baby's immediate health and transition to independent life outside the womb.
https://www.pampers.com/en-us/baby/newborn/article/newborn-umbilical-cord-care