New science backs old birthing practise

©Waateanews.com

Maori public health body Hapai Te Hauora is welcoming new research showing that waiting a minute or so before cutting a premature baby’s umbilical cord improves the baby’s chance of survival.

Fay Selby- Law, who manages its Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy programme, says that reflects traditional Maori birthing practices and is something many midwives already do.

The researchers are recommending it becomes normalised practice across the sector.

Ms Selby- Law says delaying the cutting of umbilical cords was common practice within Te Ao Maori before the medicalisation of birth in Aotearoa.

She says combining traditional knowledge with evidence-based medicine can inform best practice.

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