Childbirth practitioners' attitudes to third stage management

Although the effects of delayed cord clamping are well documented and numerous health-care organizations recommend it as part of the management of the third stage of labour, there is little evidence that the practice occurs in the hospital setting. The aims of this project were to ascertain both the level of knowledge and the common third stage practices of obstetricians, midwives and neonatologists using a questionnaire at a London foundation trust. The results show that, despite the recommendation of delayed cord clamping in the local guideline, early cord clamping is still routine practice among maternity staff practising active management. In order to optimize neonatal care, guidelines need to include objective definitions of early and delayed cord clamping, and the rationale behind recommendations.