The Effect of Deffered Cord Clamping with and without Maternal Oxygenation on Neonatal Oxygen Saturation: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Delayed cord clamping is usually defined as ligation of the umbilical cord 2–3 minutes after birth or when cord pulsations stop, which will result in a larger placental transfusion than early cord clamping performed immediately after delivery. Aim of the work: The aim of the study is to assess the effect of maternal oxygenation on neonatal oxygen saturation in women undergoing normal delivery. Patients and methods: Patients and Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial (parallel group study with 1:1 randomization) was conducted on 220 women in labor or in prodroma of labor; the patients comparing delayed cord clamping with and without maternal oxygenation. Results: There is a statistically insignificant difference between Group I (Maternal oxygenation) and Group II (Without Maternal oxygenation) regarding oxygen sauration (P>0.05); where the mean oxygen saturation in group I is (97.85 + 1.35) while the mean oxygen saturation in group II is (97.83 + 1.25). Also a highly statistically significant difference between Group I (Maternal oxygenation) and Group II (Without Maternal oxygenation) regarding APGAR 1min & 5 min (P<0.01); where the mean APGAR 1min in group I is (8.77 + 0.44) while the mean APGAR 1min in group II is (8.53 + 0.83) & the mean APGAR 5min in group I is (9.87 + 0.33) while the mean APGAR 5min in group II is (9.60 + 0.69). Conclusion: Maternal oxygen administration in small dose for short duration in addition to delayed cord clamping in normal term vaginal delivery has significant effect on the newborn Apgar score; in addition to that; administration of small doses of oxygen was proved to have insignificant effect on maternal blood gases which rules out the idea of having a harmful effect on mothers “Elaboration of harmful oxygen free radicals causing tissue damage”; and hence the proces had a mutual benefit to both the mother and the baby.