Current practice of cord clamping in the Netherlands: a questionnaire study

Background: Recent meta-analyses recommend delayed cord clamping (DCC) after uncomplicated births as well as preterm births, but there is no clear definition of timing and uniform national guidelines are lacking. Objective: We aimed to investigate if guidelines for the timing of cord clamping (CC) are followed and what the national practice entails. Methods: A postal questionnaire concerning CC after uncomplicated vaginal, Caesarean term and preterm deliveries was sent to all midwifery practices (n = 526) and obstetrical departments (n = 94) in the Netherlands. Results: The response rate was 81% (500/620). CC protocols were present in 16 and 38% of midwifery and obstetric practices, respectively. Early cord clamping (ECC) was recommended in 54%, DCC in 33%, 6% indicated a specific time point and 7% did not specify. In current practice, DCC was applied after uncomplicated vaginal term deliveries in 90% and ECC in 6%, and no timing was specified in 4%. Midwives used DCC more often than obstetricians (97 vs. 75%). Cessation of cord pulsations was often (54%) used as a time point, 40% used a fixed time point, 2% waited for placental expulsion and 4% did not specify. ECC was preferred in obstetric practices after Caesarean deliveries (in 81%). In preterm births, ECC was practised by 36%, DCC by 54 and 10% did not specify. Conclusion: In the Netherlands, although often not protocolized, DCC is widely used after uncomplicated vaginal term and preterm deliveries, but not after Caesareans. Cessation of cord pulsation is often used as the time point for CC.