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Background: Intact cord resuscitation in the first three minutes of life improves oxygenation and Apgar scores. The practise of intact cord resuscitation implies the umbilical cord still being connected to the placenta for at least one minute while providing temperature control and equipment for resuscitation. Healthcare professionals described practical challenges in providing intact cord resuscitation. This study aimed to explore neonatal healthcare professionals' experiences of providing intact cord resuscitation in the mother's bed. Method: An interview study with an inductive, interpretative approach was chosen and analysed according to reflexive thematic analysis by Braun & Clarke. An open interview guide was used and 20 individual interviews with neonatal healthcare professionals were performed. The study was conducted at five level I-III neonatal care units. In Sweden, resuscitation is performed either in or outside the labour room. Results: The results contributed insight into the participants' experiences of prerequisites for providing neonatal care in intact cord resuscitation. The sense of the mother's vulnerability was noticeable, as the participants reported reducing the risk of exposure to protect and preserve the mother's integrity. The practical challenges in the environment involved working in a limited space. The desire for multi-professional team training comprised education and training as well as debriefing to manage intact cord resuscitation. Conclusion: The result of the present study highlights the fact that neonatal healthcare professionals' experiences of providing ICR in the mother's bed were positive and had significant benefits for the neonate, namely zero separation between the neonate and parents and better physical recovery for the neonate. However, the fact that ICR in the mother's bed can be challenging in several ways, such as emotionally, managing environmental circumstances and ensuring effective team collaboration. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that healthcare professionals are given the opportunity to reflect and train together as a team. Future recommendations are to summarize evidence-based knowledge to design guidelines for ICR situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Umbilical cord prolapse (UCP) is a rare but severe obstetric complication in the presence of a rupture of the membranes. Although it is not possible to prevent a spontaneous rupture of the membranes (SROM), it is possible to prevent an amniotomy, which is a commonly used intervention in labor. This study aimed to explore the incidence and risk factors that are associated with UCP in labor when amniotomy is used vs SROM. Material and methods: A retrospective nationwide register study was conducted of all births in Sweden from January 2014 to June 2020 that were included in the Swedish Pregnancy Register (n = 717 336). The main outcome, UCP, was identified in the data by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD‐10) diagnosis code O69.0. Multiple binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors. Results: Amniotomy was performed in 230 699 (43.6%) of all pregnancies. A UCP occurred in 293 (0.13%) of these cases. SROM occurred in 298 192 (56.4%) of all cases, of which 352 (0.12%) were complicated by UCP. Risk factors that increased the odds of UCP for both amniotomy and SROM were: higher parity, non‐cephalic presentation and an induction of labor. Greater gestational age reduced the odds of UCP. Risk factors associated with only amniotomy were previous cesarean section and the presence of polyhydramnios. Identified risk factors for UCP in labor with SROM were a higher maternal age and maternal origin outside of the EU. Conclusions: UCP is a rare complication in Sweden. Beyond confirming the previously recognized risk factors, this study found induction of labor and previous cesarean section to be risk factors in labor when amniotomy is used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe midwives' experiences of intact cord resuscitation close to the mother for nonvigorous neonates after vaginal birth., Design: Descriptive qualitative., Setting: Four labor wards in Sweden., Participants: Midwives (N = 13) currently or previously employed in labor wards where the Sustained Cord Circulation and Ventilation (SAVE) study was conducted., Methods: We analyzed semistructured interviews using reflexive thematic analysis., Results: Participants' experiences are presented in an overarching theme: Midwives balance knowledge with doing the right thing in a challenging work environment during intact cord resuscitation. Three primary themes emerged: A New Workflow, Zero Separation: The Big Advantage, and The Midwife: Guardian of Childbirth., Conclusion: The participants were keen to keep the umbilical cord intact even for nonvigorous neonates. They wanted to work with the neonate close to the mother to facilitate zero separation and family participation. Ventilation with an intact umbilical cord was considered a routine to be implemented in the future, but the participants identified certain difficulties with the design of the SAVE study., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors report no conflicts of interest or relevant financial relationships., (Copyright © 2023 AWHONN, the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Traditional validation of umbilical cord blood samples with positive veno-arterial ΔpH and arterio-venous ΔpCO2 values confirms the source of samples, whereas negative Δvalues represent mix-up of samples. To investigate whether this is true, the distributions of V-A ΔpO2 and A-V Δlactate were also explored and related to clinical characteristics. In addition, different cord blood sampling techniques were evaluated.Material and Methods: Register study with cord blood acid-base and clinical data from 27 233 newborns. Clinical characteristics were related to positive, zero and negative Δvalues. Blood samplings from unclamped and double-clamped cords were compared. A two-sided P < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: ΔpH and ΔpCO2 values distributed into positive, around zero, and negative sub-populations, with significant differences in pH and clinical characteristics between sub-populations. No such sub-populations were distinguished for ΔpO2 and Δlactate. The 2.5th and 5th ΔpH percentiles were 0.013 and 0.022, respectively, and for ΔpCO2 0.30 and 0.53 kPa. Applying 5th percentile criteria resulted in 3.5% of "approved" cases showing a ΔpO2  ≤ 0. Puncture and sampling of the unclamped cord resulted in significantly better sample quality.Conclusions: Unphysiological negative ΔpO2 values occurred despite correct validation with traditional criteria. Δlactate cannot be used for validation because both positive and negative values are physiological. Positive/around zero/negative ΔpH and ΔpCO2 sub-populations were associated with significant differences in pH and clinical characteristics, indicating that defective sampling and sample handling are not the sole explanations for negative Δvalues. Prompt puncture and sampling of the unclamped cord resulted in best sample quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Birth asphyxia and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) of the newborn remain serious complications. We present a study investigating if placental or umbilical cord abnormalities in newborns at term are associated with HIE.Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study of the placenta and umbilical cord of infants treated with hypothermia (HT) due to hypoxic brain injury and follow-up at 12 months of age has been carried out. The study population included 41 infants treated for HT whose placentas were submitted for histopathological analysis. Main outcome measures were infant development at 12 months, classified as normal, cerebral palsy, or death. A healthy group of 100 infants without HIE and normal follow-up at 12 months of age were used as controls.Results: A velamentous or marginal umbilical cord insertion and histological abruption was associated with the risk of severe HIE, OR = 5.63, p = 0.006, respectively, OR = 20.3, p = 0.01 (multiple-logistic regression). Velamentous or marginal umbilical cord insertion was found in 39% among HIE cases compared to 7% in controls.Conclusions: Placental and umbilical cord abnormalities have a profound association with HIE. A prompt examination of the placentas of newborns suffering from asphyxia can provide important information on the pathogenesis behind the incident and contribute to make a better early prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to monitor the introduction of the STAN-methodology (Noventa Medical, Moelndal, Sweden). Study design: This was a prospective observational study covering the total population of deliveries at term during 2 years. Four thousand eight hundred and thirty out of 14,687 term pregnancies were monitored using the STAN S 21 fetal heart monitor and the associated clinical guidelines. Cord artery metabolic acidosis, neonatal outcome, and rates of operative deliveries for fetal distress were assessed. Results: The annual rate of STAN usage increased from 28.1% to 37.7% and was associated with a significant reduction in metabolic acidosis rate in the total population from 0.76% to 0.44% (P < .05). The compliance with the clinical guidelines increased in cases requiring intervention. The rates for moderate/severe hypoxic neonatal encephalopathy were consistently low, 0.55 and 0.68 per 1000 deliveries, respectively, and corresponding to previous findings. The rate of operative delivery did not change during the 2 years in the total population. Conclusion: Increasing STAN usage provided consistent improvements in fetal outcome equalling those noted in the Swedish randomized controlled trial (RCT) without increasing operative interventions for fetal distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One previous, preliminary study reported that the length of the umbilical cord at birth is related to the risk of developing chronic rheumatic heart disease in later life. We sought to replicate this finding., Design: Prospective, population-based birth cohort., Methods: We traced 11,580 individuals born between 1915 and 1929 in Uppsala, Sweden. We identified cases with a main or secondary diagnosis of chronic rheumatic heart disease in the Swedish national inpatient, outpatient or death registers. Archived obstetric records provided data on umbilical cord length, gestational age, birthweight and placental weight., Results: There were 136 patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease (72 men and 64 women) with a mean age at first hospital admission of 68 years (range 36-92). There was evidence of a positive association between umbilical cord length and risk of subsequent chronic rheumatic heart disease. The overall hazard ratio in the Swedish study (1.13, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.27) was similar to that of the previous study, with some suggestion of larger effect in men than in women. No other birth characteristics were predictive except for weak evidence of a protective effect of higher birthweight in men., Conclusions: People with longer umbilical cords at birth are more likely to develop chronic rheumatic heart disease in later life. As longer umbilical cords have more spiral arteries and a higher vascular resistance, we hypothesize that the increased pressure load on the heart leads to changes in endothelial biology and increased vulnerability to the autoimmune process initiated by infection with β-haemolytic streptococci., (© The European Society of Cardiology 2014.)

On many newborns in Sweden routine samples of blood are taken from the umbilical cord after birth to measure the acid-base balance. These tests were introduced with the aim to objectively measure the well-being and stress levels of the newborn. The information was to be used as a measurement of quality of care, for research and as a tool to help guide decisions around the care-needs of the newborn. After 10 years of routine analysis it has become clear that the results of these tests have limited clinical value and that they are a poor measurement of quality of care., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The article presents a study that examines whether a delay in clamping the unbilical cord affect infant haemoglobin and iron status in a European setting. The study found that infants allocated to delayed cord clamping had 45% higher mean ferritin levels than those allocated to early cord clamping. It reveals that there was no difference in haemoglobin at four months, and at two days of age, the delayed cord clamping group had lower prevalence of neonatal anaemia.

Objective: To investigate the effect of delayed cord clamping (DCC) compared with early cord clamping (ECC) on maternal postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and umbilical cord blood gas sampling., Design: Secondary analysis of a parallel-group, single-center, randomized controlled trial., Setting: Swedish county hospital., Population: 382 term deliveries after a low-risk pregnancy., Methods: Deliveries were randomized to DCC (≥180 seconds, n = 193) or ECC (≤10 seconds, n = 189). Maternal blood loss was estimated by the midwife. Samples for blood gas analysis were taken from one umbilical artery and the umbilical vein, from the pulsating unclamped cord in the DCC group and from the double-clamped cord in the ECC group. Samples were classified as valid when the arterial-venous difference was -0.02 or less for pH and 0.5 kPa or more for pCO2 . Main outcome measures. PPH and proportion of valid blood gas samples., Results: The differences between the DCC and ECC groups with regard to PPH (1.2%, p = 0.8) and severe PPH (-2.7%, p = 0.3) were small and non-significant. The proportion of valid blood gas samples was similar between the DCC (67%, n = 130) and ECC (74%, n = 139) groups, with 6% (95% confidence interval: -4%-16%, p = 0.2) fewer valid samples after DCC., Conclusions: Delayed cord clamping, compared with early, did not have a significant effect on maternal postpartum hemorrhage or on the proportion of valid blood gas samples. We conclude that delayed cord clamping is a feasible method from an obstetric perspective., (© 2012 The Authors Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica© 2012 Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Aim: To investigate the effect that delayed and early umbilical cord clamping have on neurodevelopment, immunoglobulin G (IgG) and symptoms of infection during the first 4 months of life., Methods: Full-term infants (n = 382) were randomised to delayed (≥180 sec) or early cord clamping (≤10 sec). The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) was used to assess neurodevelopment at 4 months. Immunoglobulin G was measured at birth, 2-3 days and 4 months. Parents recorded any symptoms indicating infection during the first 4 months of life., Results: The total scores from the ASQ did not differ between groups. However, the delayed cord clamping (DCC) group had a higher mean (SD) score in the problem-solving domain [55.3 (7.2) vs. 53.5 (8.2), p = 0.03] at 4 months and a lower mean (SD) score in the personal-social domain [49.5 (9.3) vs. 51.8 (8.1), p = 0.01]. The IgG level was higher in the DCC group at 2-3 days (11.7 vs. 11.0 g/L, p = 0.004), but did not differ between the groups at 4 months. Symptoms of infection were comparable between the groups., Conclusion: Delayed cord clamping did not affect overall neurodevelopment or symptoms of infection up to 4 months of age, but may have an impact on specific neurodevelopmental domains., (©2013 The Author(s)/Acta Paediatrica ©2013 Foundation Acta Paediatrica.)

The incidence and types of staphylococcal purulent lesions were prospectively studied among 3602 newborn infants. During an epidemic of post-discharge pyoderma, 87 per cent of all Staphylococcus aureus isolates from lesions could be traced to the nursery. The risk of post-discharge disease was related to the degree of staphylococcal skin colonization in the nursery. A method for routine cord care in the nursery with 4 per cent chlorhexidine-detergent solution was evaluated and proved to be effective in reducing staphylococcal colonization in the nursery as well as purulent skin disease at home. The clinical effectiveness of the regimen was followed up for 19 months and a persistent low infection rate was obtained among infants in the post-discharge period.