Changing practice: physiological cord clamping

Every baby deserves the best start to life. Receiving the full quota of blood from the placenta directly after birth has profound short and long-term benefits for the baby; these have been extensively researched and documented. This article discusses a student midwife's experience of participating in reviewing third stage guidelines to incorporate this growing evidence base into clinical practice within a large London NHS Trust. A new local guideline (unpublished) recommends every baby (where clinically possible) has the opportunity to benefit from 'physiological cord clamping'. The aim of the article is to inspire midwives and student midwives to become involved with similar activities within their own trusts.