Umbilical Cord Milking: A Rapid Approach to Placental Transfusion

Umbilical cord milking (UCM) is an alternative technique to delayed umbilical cord clamping (DCC) to enhance placental transfusion to the newborn quickly. The process involves manually squeezing the umbilical cord and rapidly pushing blood towards the infant, typically in less than 10–15 seconds. This method has garnered attention, particularly in situations where the recommended 60-second delay for DCC may be impractical or unsafe, such as when the newborn requires immediate resuscitation or when the mother is experiencing hemodynamic instability. Despite its potential benefits, UCM has not been as rigorously studied as DCC, and its safety and efficacy remain a subject of scrutiny.