Timing of Umbilical Cord Clamping – Attitudes and Beliefs among Midwives, Obstetricians, and Neonatologists

Abstract

Objective To assess the attitudes and beliefs about cord clamping management among health professionals involved in neonatal resuscitation. Study design: A cross-sectional survey was administered electronically, using an adaptation of the questionnaire developed by Jelin et al. The survey was conducted among midwives, nursing staff, obstetricians, and pediatricians/neonatologists from September 2022 to August 2023. Results were analyzed descriptively. Result Of 838 respondents analyzed, 94% reported cord clamping timing being “very or moderately important” for neonatal outcomes. Midwives were more likely to use an event-based approach to cord clamping compared to physicians. Among midwives and pediatric physicians, 27% and 10% respectively preferred an event-based approach to cord clamping in resuscitation situations. Obstetricians predominantly selected < 30 s as the preferred timing for cord clamping in resuscitation scenarios. Conclusion Timing of cord clamping is considered important among respondents. Midwives and physicians differ in their approach to cord clamping.